'Untouchability' Wall Pulled Down In Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur

The wall was brought down after Dalits who found the wall discriminatory raised the issue to Tiruvallur Collector. 

Tiruvallur Collector Alby John

Chennai: The Tiruvallur district administration brought down a seven-foot 'untouchability' wall in Thokkamour of Arambakkam Taluk with the consent of the villagers on Monday. The wall was brought down after Dalits who found the wall discriminatory raised the issue to Tiruvallur Collector. 

According to a report in The Hindu, a seven-foot wall was constructed around Droupadi Amman temple along the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.

It was built adjacent to a settlement of 200 Dalit families in Thokkamour. The Dalit families reside on a two-acre land in Tiruvallur, nearly 60 km from Chennai.

In 2016, the wall was reportedly constructed between the government land and Scheduled Castes habitation to avoid floods. However, Dalits who were residing in the habitation alleged that the wall was discriminatory and served as an 'untouchability' wall.

They also said that it should be demolished. 

In 2016, the villagers said that the wall was constructed between government land and Scheduled Castes habitation to avoid floods. However, Dalits who were residing in the habitation said that the wall was discriminatory. They also said that it should be demolished. 

They also said that due to the wall they are unable to access many places that are on the other side of the wall. It also paved way for rainwater to enter their houses since they are on low-lying areas and is on the other side of it. 

Tiruvallur Collector Alby John Varghese said, people from SC habitation felt that it was discriminatory and should be removed so a peace talk was held and the wall was demolished with the consent of all the people.

The district administration also made villagers remove the fence that was set up near the wall.