Feces Mixed In Dalits' Water Tank: Madras HC Seeks Report From Pudukottai Collector & SP

The Madras HC passed the order while hearing a petition seeking appropriate action against the miscreants responsible for mixing feces in the water.

Madurai bench of Madras HC

Chennai: The Madras High Court directed Pudukottai Collector, SP and deputy SP to file a status report in the case relating to human excreta found in drinking water in the overhead tank of a Dalit colony at Iraiyur hamlet in Pudukottai. The Madras HC passed the order while hearing a petition seeking appropriate action against the miscreants responsible for mixing feces in water. 

According to Times of India, the case came up for hearing before the bench of judges P Velmurugan and P Vijayakumar of Madurai bench of Madras HC on Wednesday. 

In the PIL, petitioner S Shanmugam, district organiser of Periyar Ambedkar Makkal Kalagam, Pudukottai said that Dalits reside in Iraiyur hamlet in Mutukadu. 

Recently, the villagers who consumed water were having health issues and it was later found that feces were present in the common tank used by Dalits. 

Further, Shanmugam said, caste discrimination was present in several forms in Iraiyur including two-tumbler system and denial of entry into temple by Dalits. He said, caste discrimination is a violation of personal liberty, fundamental right and basic human rights guaranteed under the constitution, as per the report. 

The petitioner also sought that CB-CID officials, human rights and social justice wing police should probe the matter. He also urged the state to provide compensation to the people who consumed the water mixed with feces. 

The petitioner also demanded the authorities take action to eradicate the two-tumbler system and permit the temple entry into Pudukottai district. 

Meanwhile, the state government told the court that separate cases have been registered for mixed fecal matter, denied temple entry and two-tumbler system. 

Following this, the court adjourned the case to January 5.

The people of Iraiyur hamlet have been facing health issues including vomiting and dysentery. Recently, some of the affected children were hospitalised for treatment. 

After the treatment, the doctor raised suspicion over the quality of the water and told the villagers to check it. 

Against this backdrop, the villagers found feces floating on the water.