MADURAI: Scheduled caste members from S Valayapatti village, who were attacked recently by those from the intermediate caste following simmering tensions, say they have been facing

in various forms for many years now. They had to tolerate them as their elders, who were used to bearing with such discriminatory practices, did not allow them to bring them up before the outside world fearing backlash.

The double tumbler system was prevalent in the village till a couple of months ago when people from the schedule caste used to go there. There were only two tea shops in the village, both run by members of intermediate caste. “While tea is served in tumblers made of stainless steel for them, we get it in use-and-throw cups. They stopped selling us tea in the last two months,” said C Ayyar, a village youth.

Similarly, grocery shops too are run by people from the intermediate caste. There were about 400 families belonging to intermediate caste in the village as against about 50 families of schedule caste. Only a month ago, T Dhanalakshmi from the schedule caste opened a small shop. But it has not been easy for her to run the shop as those from intermediate caste who owned shops were creating trouble. “The distributor of a popular packaged milk sachet is not supplying me milk due to pressure from the owners of the other two shops. I have to travel 14 kms to reach Tirumangalam to buy milk,” Dhanalakshmi said.

While the ration shop was functioning in a community hall near Muthalamman temple, members of the intermediate caste did not like SC members coming far into their settlement. As they opposed it, the library located nearby was turned into ration shop and supplies were distributed at separate timings. “Just two hours are allotted to us and that too after finishing supply to the intermediate caste families. Moreover, better quality supplies are reserved for them,” said A Periyakaruppi, a villager.

Besides these, the scheduled caste members were not allowed to take bath in the public water tank meant for the purpose, said A Ravi, a youth. When they took up the issue, the officials said they will construct a separate one for them.