Madavoor, a typical idyllic village about 20 kms away from Attingal, is the newest venue of the violent skirmishes between DHRM and its opponents, which can only be labeled as DHRM vs the rest of the world. The village has been tense for the past one week, as reported by the Hindu, despite the Onam festivities. DHRM has been organizing functions and study classes in the village for the past two years. Their latest rally triggered the present bout of violence. A heavy contingent of police has been camped in Madavoor to prevent further violence.
The problems started on the Uthradam day. The rally was organized near a house where a person had died just before. The family members demanded a shift of venue for the rally. The DHRM workers refused to do so. This resulted in arguments between both parties. On the night, the house was attacked and rubber trees and banana plants were destroyed. The family members and the president of the Madavoor Panchayath and a Congress(I) leader, Sri. Rajendran Unnithan, alleged that DHRM activists were behind the attack. Two people, owing allegiance to DHRM, were arrested. This led to further violence in the region with armed gangs attacking people and crops. Two Dalit houses, allegedly of DHRM sympathizers, were attacked too.
Yesterday, DHRM conducted a march to Pallickal police station to protest against the false cases filed against its activists and the atrocities against the Daliths by the upper cast people. The march was led by its state secretary, Sri. V. Selvaraj, and another prominent leader of the organization Sri. Varkala Das. The march started from Thumpode. Then a group of local people, representing 'the rest of the world', comprising people of all major political parties and religious organization, tried to block the march at Thumpode junction. They started throwing stones at DHRM rally. The DHRM workers too started throwing stones back. It was the agile action of the police, on red alert, prevented further problems. The police charged at the anti-DHRM group and provided escort to the DHRM rally. It was a curious scene: the police escorting agitators who are going to lay siege to the police station.Watch a video of the DHRM march here.
The rally reached Pallickal police station and blocked the station for some time. The traffic through Pallickal to Kilimanoor too was disrupted. Later, more police forces came in and arrested the people blocking the station. DHRM has urged for more protest marches today. About 20 people, including police personnel, DHRM workers, and the people belonging to the anti-DHRM group, were injured in the happenings. Read a detailed report of the incidents here. The anti-DHRM group has also declared a harthal in Pallickal and nearby areas today.
A press release from DHRM alleges that DYFI workers attacked the rally. The left leaders declined to comment. Sri. Rajendran Unnithan put the blame on the militant functioning style of DHRM. He claimed that people of only two Dalit families in Madavoor supported DHRM and even the other Dalit people were against DHRM. Many observers agree that there were only very few local people in the DHRM rally organized yesterday.
The rally reached Pallickal police station and blocked the station for some time. The traffic through Pallickal to Kilimanoor too was disrupted. Later, more police forces came in and arrested the people blocking the station. DHRM has urged for more protest marches today. About 20 people, including police personnel, DHRM workers, and the people belonging to the anti-DHRM group, were injured in the happenings. Read a detailed report of the incidents here. The anti-DHRM group has also declared a harthal in Pallickal and nearby areas today.
A press release from DHRM alleges that DYFI workers attacked the rally. The left leaders declined to comment. Sri. Rajendran Unnithan put the blame on the militant functioning style of DHRM. He claimed that people of only two Dalit families in Madavoor supported DHRM and even the other Dalit people were against DHRM. Many observers agree that there were only very few local people in the DHRM rally organized yesterday.
The DHRM issue has certainly created a division among the people in Attingal and neighboring villages. The membership of DHRM is certainly on the rise in various Dalit colonies in the region. The DHRM leaders claim that its swelling rank and file is what irritates the political parties such as CPI(M), Congress (I), and BJP. They say that the intolerance of the upper cast people is the root of all the issues.
But if the recent performance of the DHRM candidates is any indication, their increase in membership should not worry any political parties. Sri. Selvaraj himself contested in Attingal assembly constituency. But he got only 1713 votes from more than one lakh votes polled. Sajimon Chelayam, another DHRM leader, who contested in Chirayinkeezhu assembly constituency, got only 1277 votes from more than 1.1 lakhs votes polled. Same is the case for Saleena Prakkanam who got only only 1613 votes in Vamanapuram constituency, where nearly 1.2 lakhs votes were polled. These are hardly an evidence of a staggering popularity.
The present situation is like this: DHRM leaders say that they are organizing study classes and functions in various Dalit colonies in order to spread awareness against liquor and to improve the overall cultural and financial situation of the Dalits. But the rest of the world, for want of a better phrase as this group includes virtually everybody excluding DHRM workers, say that the DHRM cadre resort to violence to intimidate people. They site the example of fights involving DHRM in Varkala, Kaipatti Mukku near Attingal, and Kadakkal over the last two years.
There are many conspiracy theories going around, with each group blaming the other for the problems. But whatever be the truth, one thing is clear: the calm and peaceful fabric that surrounded the social life of Madavoor and neighboring villages like Ponganadu and Pallikkal has been destroyed.
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