Coimbatore: "The Mettupalayam tragedy is a proof for the unending injustice meted out on Dalit people. The wall which was built by an upper caste person to avoid waking up in the faces of Dalit people has claimed 17 innocent lives. And, the case registered on him is just an eyewash", opined Director Pa. Ranjith at a press meet on Wednesday at Mettupalayam.
Coimbatore: "The Mettupalayam tragedy is a proof for the unending injustice meted out on Dalit people. The wall which was built by an upper caste person to avoid waking up in the faces of Dalit people has claimed 17 innocent lives. And, the case registered on him is just an eyewash", opined Director Pa. Ranjith at a press meet on Wednesday at Mettupalayam.
On December 2, the State of Tamil Nadu woke up to the tragedy in Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district where 17 lives were crushed to death after a 25 foot compound wall collapsed on four houses. Several political leaders and leaders of caste organisation have expressed their condolence and shock over the incident and demanded legal action on the house owner for building the wall against norms.
Director Pa. Ranjith visited Mettupalayam, today and consoled the family members of the deceased. He also listened to their allegations putforth by them claiming the wall to be an 'Untouchability' wall.
Later, addressing the media, Director Pa. Ranjith alleged that Caste hysteria has gone to a whole new level and the society refuses to understand the deep-rooted anguish of the Dalit people.
"To avoid controversies, the corpse of all 17 people were cremated without being handed over to the relatives. Though a solatium of Rs.10 lakhs has been announced, job opportunities have been promised only for qualified persons. Again, qualification will be determined based on caste", he rebuked.
"The failure of the government to initiate preemptive steps to prevent such discriminations is the reason for such incidents to reoccur", he alleged.
"This caste-based menace would see it's end only if more Dalits play a significant role in politics", he opined.
Condemning the lathi charge discharged on the protestors, he slammed that "Police resorting to violence to disperse a crowd who were fighting for their rights is condemnable. Why caste labelling should be done on Dalit protestors alone?", asked the award-winning Director who has been voicing against Dalit oppression.
He concluded by saying that this incident aptly proves the consequences people have to face, if they are not governed by legitimate rulers.
On December 2, the State of Tamil Nadu woke up to the tragedy in Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district where 17 lives were crushed to death after a 25 foot compound wall collapsed on four houses. Several political leaders and leaders of caste organisation have expressed their condolence and shock over the incident and demanded legal action on the house owner for building the wall against norms.
Director Pa. Ranjith visited Mettupalayam, today and consoled the family members of the deceased. He also listened to their allegations putforth by them claiming the wall to be an 'Untouchability' wall.
Later, addressing the media, Director Pa. Ranjith alleged that Caste hysteria has gone to a whole new level and the society refuses to understand the deep-rooted anguish of the Dalit people.
"To avoid controversies, the corpse of all 17 people were cremated without being handed over to the relatives. Though a solatium of Rs.10 lakhs has been announced, job opportunities have been promised only for qualified persons. Again, qualification will be determined based on caste", he rebuked.
"The failure of the government to initiate preemptive steps to prevent such discriminations is the reason for such incidents to reoccur", he alleged.
"This caste-based menace would see it's end only if more Dalits play a significant role in politics", he opined.
Condemning the lathi charge discharged on the protestors, he slammed that "Police resorting to violence to disperse a crowd who were fighting for their rights is condemnable. Why caste labelling should be done on Dalit protestors alone?", asked the award-winning Director who has been voicing against Dalit oppression.
He concluded by saying that this incident aptly proves the consequences people have to face, if they are not governed by legitimate rulers.