Seeking a direction to the authorities to ensure safety of the people belonging to devendrakula vellalar community in the village.
Madurai: Citing a recent clash between two groups belonging to different castes in Kansapuram in Virudhunagar district, an advocate moved Madras high court on Monday seeking a direction to the authorities to ensure safety of the people belonging to devendrakula vellalar community in the village.
The petitioner stated that nearly 350 families of devendrakula vellalars and nearly 2,300 people belonging to maravar community reside in Kansapuram. Following a clash over carrying seer for an ear piercing ceremony on Aug 26, Koomapatti police registered two cases. The hearing in the case was adjourned to Oct 7.
A division bench of Justice C V Karthikeyan and Justice R Sakthivel directed the state to file a report, while hearing a public interest litigation filed by V Periyasamy of Kansapuram who belongs to the community. Being smaller in number, devendrakula vellalars are in a vulnerable position and face continuing apprehension regarding their safety, dignity and peaceful enjoyment of their civic and social rights. Disputes have repeatedly arisen when members of the community carry seer varisai, use drums, thalam, customary musical instruments and burst crackers during auspicious functions. There were threats and damage to houses, two-wheelers, motor vehicles and other properties belonging to members of the community. This has caused serious fear and insecurity among the affected residents, particularly women, children and elderly people. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking a direction to the authorities to ensure safety of the people belonging to the devendrakula vellalar community in Kansapuram village.