There is an article in “People’s Democracy” in its September 30 – October 6 issue (last page), about the social revolution that is being brought in T.Nadu through the hectic efforts of the people under the leadership of the “Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front” (TNUEF). The movement has been functioning for a few years and could make a lot of change for removing untouchability and connected malpractices.
The present article reports about the Direct Action Programmes organised in various parts of T.Nadu on 30th September, the death anniversary of Com. B.Srinivasa Rao, who was a crusader against untouchability and atrocities against Dalits in T.Nadu.
Some of these Direct Action Programmes were the following:
1. Temple Entry for dalits: For about 100 years, dalits were not allowed to enter Chathiswaran Temple in Village of Erode District.As per announcement made earlier the TNUEF workers under the leadership of TNUEF President Comrade P.Sampath and other leaders marched to the temple. The administration has no other go but to allow the temple entry of dalits then and there.
2.In the same way Dalits under the leadership of TNUEF also entered Narayana Perumal Temple in Tirunelveli District.
3. Entry in to own Land: In Kudalingapuram in Dindigul District, patta was given to 48 Dalit families, but they were not allowed to occupy the land since it was not handed over. The TNUEF workers came in large numbers and the administration was compelled to hand over the land to the dalits.
4. Untouchability Gate demolished in Ooty: The gate blocking the entry of dalits to the public road at Gandhipuram, Ooty was demolished on 30th September and the road opened for the dalits under the leadership of TNUEF.
5. First time hair cuts for dalits: The dalits in Echenkottai village of Thanjavur District, were not allowed to have hair cuts in the village and they were compelled to go far away for the same. Further in the tea shops the ” two tumbler system” existed whereby the dalits were given separate tumblers for supplying tea in the shops. This system was put an end to after the TNUEF agitation and massive demonstration on 30th September. The dalits were allowed hair cuts also in the village.
6. Hair Cut allowed in Vadipatti town in Madurai District also in the same way for the first time after many years.
7. Bath in the Common tank by Dalits: Dalits were denied permission to take bath in the common tank in Muthulingapuram, in Virudhunagar. On 30th September, the dalits and TNUEF volunteers together went to the tank and took bath, breaking the years old system of denying bath to the dalits.
These developments are a great victory for the dalits and the people of T.Nadu. It is not an easy matter to break the caste barrier and get justice for the dalits. It is only through sustained struggles that the injustices could be removed. The TNUEF should be congratulated for the revolutionary task they have undertaken. The movement is getting more and more support from the people and we hope that it will be able to advance further for the cause of the dalits. My Hearty Congratulations to Com. Sampath, President TNUEF and thousands of its activists and supporters. Really, a turn around is coning in T.Nadu.
(For details see “People’s Democracy” September 30- October 06 issue)
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 
This is not new news in Tamilnadu. From the time immemorial it is going on. Recently in 20th Centuary E V Ramaswamy Naickar(Periyar) also done the same in Kerala Vaikkam. Instead of all this gimmicks the dalits can develop a area where by they can boycott others in that zone. Like rich poor divide, this is also continuing.
The requirement is that each and everybody in the society has a right to live a respectful life and nobody has authority to deny this right. Even after centuries, these prejudices continue which is not in the interest of the progress of the society. It is not a question of retaliation, but that of co-operation co-existence.
Can these changes be brought forcefully? The way in which human life is conducted also speaks. Yesterday the BSP MP and his wife were arrested for unnatural death of their servant. Again it is also one type of untouchable and . human right violation.
I welcome co-operation and co-existence which is not taking place. Even in the TN cases it has not happened.
Dear Comrade,
It is not easy to change the mind of the people from the feudal set up which is continuing for centuries together. In Hinduism, the system of caste /varna has been used to decimate the so called lower caste from being empowered. It was almost slavery and some times more than that. So many reformists and leaders like Vivekananda, Sri Narayana and others fought against the same, but it still persists. It should be the effort of each and every person to change the situation, where all these subjugation of the people are put an end to.
Com.Namboodri’s assessment about emergence of a social revolution in TN, may appear overblown, though not the role of TNUEF in creating a social awareness through its relentless struggles against atrocities on Dalits. What started as a survey on various shameless forms of untouchability in South, transcended in widening its platform through TNUEF’s roping in on democratic organisations of various hues. to voice against oppression, ostracism and marginalisation. They have many a feathers on their cap as the author lists.. Striking hard at the social and economic discrimination, which Dalits have been facing for eans, TNUEF has scored in instilling confidence into the minds of the oppressed. With all this, we feel that there are miles to go.
Certainly,miles and miles to go.