In Tamil Nadu’s Karur district, authorities on Saturday demolished what locals called an “untouchability wall” in Muthuladampatti, built on government poramboke land. Dalit residents had said that the wall, about 200 feet long and 10 feet high, was constructed by caste Hindus to block their free movement between settlements.
The action came two days after revenue officials issued an eviction notice to stop the construction. Around 200 police personnel, led by SP Josh Thangaiah, held peace talks with both communities before tearing the wall down.
Dalit residents also accused caste Hindus of other forms of discrimination, such as not allowing them to walk with slippers in their settlement. However, caste Hindus denied the claims, insisting the wall was meant to stop “drunkards” from entering and causing trouble.
Members of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front had warned on Friday that they would remove the wall themselves if the district administration delayed action. The demolition was carried out under tight police security after assurances that the concerns of both communities would be addressed.
