Feces Mixed In Water Tank: Madras High Court Seeks Report From State On Alleged Atrocities Upon SC Community

When the case came before a bench of Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice R Vijayakumar on Thursday, the court was informed that the investigation has been transferred to the CB-CID.

In his petition, Shanmugam, District Organiser of ‘Periyar Ambedkar Makkal Kalagam’ submitted that the practice of discrimination against the scheduled caste community has been going on for many years. The latest has been mixing of human feces in the overhead tank of Mutukad Village Panchayat, Pudukottai district.

The petitioner submitted that the overhead water tank is the only water source for the villagers. Unaware of the mixing, the villagers (mostly belonging to scheduled caste community) consumed the water for almost a week causing various health problems and agony.

The petitioner further stated that even before this unfortunate incident, there have been instances where the members of the SC community were denied entry into temples, were prevented from hoisting national flag etc. He also gave instances of how children were forced to carry slippers of their teacher and were forced to do menial works of their teachers. He also gave examples of how a Dalit woman Union Chairman's name was left out of display in newly constructed bus stand because of caste discrimination.

Among other things, the petitioner also drew attention of the court to the practice of double tumbler system being followed in the teashops in district where separate glasses were kept for those belonging to scheduled caste community. In some instances, members of the community were served tea in plastic or paper cups and were made to sit in separate spaces inside the shops.

The petitioner also contended that these instances of rampant discrimination against the community is hidden from the court's attention due to inadequate survey by the Government to expose the saddening reality.

Thus, the petitioner sought for constitution of a special investigation team to find and take appropriate action against those who mixed human fecal matter in the water tank and to pay fair and reasonable compensation to the victims who were indirectly forced to drink the water. The petitioner also sought for taking steps to eradicate the practice of double tumbler system and denial of temple entry and such other discrimination against the members belonging to the scheduled caste community.

The court has adjourned the matter to February 2 for detailed report by the State government.

Case Title: S Shanmugam v. State of Tamil Nadu and others

Case No: WP (MD) 29264 of 2022