01-04-2005, 10:21 PM
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/artic...978075.cms
Caste antagonism in providing relief?
SHANKAR RAGHURAMAN
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, JANUARY 01, 2005 10:45:55 PM ]
CHENNAI/CUDDALORE: The aftermath of the tsunami in Tamil Nadu has thrown up some touching examples of communal amity, but it has also revealed how deep caste antagonism runs.
Travelling across the affected areas, one regularly hears of examples of
communal amity. One example that keeps cropping up in conversation with NGO
activists working in the area is of the Jamaath, a Muslim organisation, which
has been running four relief camps in the Parangipettai area of Cuddalore
district.
<b>The overwhelming majority of the victims are non-Muslims but that has not
prevented the Jamaath from giving them three meals a day for over three days.</b>
Considering there are an estimated 40,000 people in these camps, thatâs quite an
achievement.
The same NGO activists also tell stories which are depressing, stories of how
Dalits are losing out in the relief effort. Some claim they have come across
cases where others have prevented Dalits from entering relief camps.
I did not personally come across any such case, but I did hear fisherwomen in
several places talking dismissively of the food being provided by relief workers
as âstuff that may be good enough for some of the others, but is beneath our
dignity to eatâ. <b>The veiled reference to the Dalits is hard to miss.</b> <i>{Voila, only indian media dorks will come to such conclusions and get published}</i>
Caste antagonism in providing relief?
SHANKAR RAGHURAMAN
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, JANUARY 01, 2005 10:45:55 PM ]
CHENNAI/CUDDALORE: The aftermath of the tsunami in Tamil Nadu has thrown up some touching examples of communal amity, but it has also revealed how deep caste antagonism runs.
Travelling across the affected areas, one regularly hears of examples of
communal amity. One example that keeps cropping up in conversation with NGO
activists working in the area is of the Jamaath, a Muslim organisation, which
has been running four relief camps in the Parangipettai area of Cuddalore
district.
<b>The overwhelming majority of the victims are non-Muslims but that has not
prevented the Jamaath from giving them three meals a day for over three days.</b>
Considering there are an estimated 40,000 people in these camps, thatâs quite an
achievement.
The same NGO activists also tell stories which are depressing, stories of how
Dalits are losing out in the relief effort. Some claim they have come across
cases where others have prevented Dalits from entering relief camps.
I did not personally come across any such case, but I did hear fisherwomen in
several places talking dismissively of the food being provided by relief workers
as âstuff that may be good enough for some of the others, but is beneath our
dignity to eatâ. <b>The veiled reference to the Dalits is hard to miss.</b> <i>{Voila, only indian media dorks will come to such conclusions and get published}</i>