Adi Dravvidars- a bid

'Adi Dravidars' seen as a bid to divide DalitsSunday March 4 2007 00:00

COIMBATORE: "Not Adi Dravidars, we are Scheduled Castes (SCs)," saythe Dalit outfits, which are opposing the latest Government Order (GO)on the SCs to be henceforth referred to as 'Adi Dravidars'.The Dalits are seeing the order as a plan to divide the oppressedcommunities and as an attempt by one section to gain dominance on thebasis of language.Coined by social reformer Periyar E V Ramasami, the term 'AdiDravidar' is used in Tamil Nadu to denote the Dalits. It meansoriginal natives or indigenous people of the Dravida land.Opposing the GO, Puthiya Tamizhagam party leader K Krishnasamy said, "This is an incorrect move, which the government should take backimmediately. "The term Scheduled Caste was coined by Dr B R Ambedkar for the victimsof untouchability throughout India. In Tamil Nadu alone, there areover 77 sections, which come under the Scheduled Castes. Like the SCsin other States, these oppressed communities are entitled to all thebenefits guaranteed under the Constitution. They cannot be separatedfrom the SCs elsewhere, Krishnasamy said.He said he had raised the issue in the State Assembly in the late1990s and Veerapandi Arumugam had assured that the term Pattiyal InaMakkal would be retained."Instead of implementing reservation and other welfare schemes due forthe Dalits, what is the need for the government to come out with thisnew GO," he questioned.Apprehending that the GO would spoil unity among the Dalits in theState, he hoped that the State Government would not go ahead with it.The All India Arunthathiar Munnani, which has been demanding thegovernment to announce the existing 'Adi Dravidar Nala Thurai' (AdiDravidar Welfare Department) as 'Thazthapattor Nala Thurai', hasdenounced the order. Eswara Vel, leader of the outfit, said'Arunthathiars' , mostly Telugu and Kannada-speaking population, arethe most oppressed living in the State.Recalling the 'insulting comments' made by DPI leader TholThirumavalavan like, "We'll allow them ('Arunthathiars' ) to live, butnot rule," and "Arunthathiars should be removed from the SC category,"Vel said his outfit has given 15 days time for Thirumavalavan towithdraw his comments. If he refuses, they would launch a State-widestir, he added."Thirumavalavan will be blocked by our cadre wherever he goes.Moreover, we have also asked the 'Arunthathiars' in the DPI to comeout of that party," he said.