7th February 2018

Safaikarmachari Kavalu Samiti, Karnataka is a group of activists working for the rehabilitation of persons engaged in manual scavenging and total eradication of manual scavenging, which is the worst form of caste based slavery.

The samiti is distressed and deeply concerned that a 50 foot long and 5 foot high wall has been erected by the Paraiyar community in Santhaiyur village, specifically to create a barrier against the Arunthathiyars living in the same area.

Inspite of the Madurai bench of the Madras High court ordering in August 2017, that the wall, which has been built unlawfully, should be demolished within four months, there has been no attempt to demolish the wall.

The Safai Karmachari Kavalu Samiti is of the belief that this kind of wall exists between different sub-castes across the country and is a manifestation of a deep rooted caste structure that divides even those it oppresses.

The communities which have been victim to the caste system for decades, should work together to remove these caste hierarchies between themselves and not become further points of oppression.

We urge the paraiyar community to immediately dismantle this wall that is a form of humiliation and oppression against the arunthathiyar community. If this is not done, we demand the district administration of Madurai to intervene and dismantle the wall to uphold the Constitutional right to dignity of the Arundhathiyar community.

For more information, please contact

Mr. K B Obalesh

State Convener, Safaikarmachari Kavulu Samithi Karnataka

Ph: +91 97425 86468