1957-ம் ஆண்டு தமிழக
உள்துறை அமைச்சராக இருந்த எம். பக்தவத்சலம் முதுகுளத்தூர் கலவரம் பற்றியும் தேவர் கைது
பற்றியும் அந்த ஆண்டு அக்டோபர் மாதம் 26-ம் தேதி சட்டமன்றத்தில் சமர்ப்பித்த அறிக்கை.
(இந்த அறிக்கையை வாசித்தாலே, வெள்ளை ஆட்சியாளர்களிடம் அகிம்சை காட்ட வேண்டும் என்று
வேதம் ஓதியவர்கள் எவ்வாறு மண்ணின் மைந்தர்கள் மீது துப்பாக்கித் துரைத்தனம் செய்தனர்
என்பதை புரிந்துகொள்ளலாம். காமராஜர் மற்றும் காங்கிரஸின் தோல்விக்கான காரணங்களையும்
இந்த அறிக்கையிலிருந்து தெரிந்துகொள்ளலாம்.)
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I
rise to make a statement on the recent outbreak of lawlessness and violence in
some parts of Ramanathapuram district, and the steps taken by Government to
maintain law and order and to render relief to the victims of the riots.
Between Maravars
and the Harijans of the eastern taluks of Ramanathapuram district, there has
been tension for some time past, arising mainly out of the difficulties in the
processes of social adjustment. The disabilities of the Harijans in these areas
were far more facture than in other parts of the State. As a result of the
Government since then, the Harijans became more conscious of their rights and
began to assert them. Unlike in other areas, this process of adjustment seems
to have met with greater resistance from the caste Hindus, especially the
Thevars.
In Thiruvadanai and
the neighboring areas of Sivaganga taulk, the wearing of shirts by Harijans
especially during festivals was resented by the caste Hindus. This coupled with
the refusal of the Harijans to pay the so-called ‘Customary homage’ to the
caste Hindus, resulted in communal clashes. In 1930 the Police had to bind over
63 caste Hindus for keeping the peace under section 107, Criminal Procedure
Code, because they were responsible for several acts of violence against the
Harijans during the car festival at Elavankottai. The tension continued and
there was a grave case of dacoit in 1932 in which a group of caste Hindus
raided the houses of the Harijans during the course of which grievous injuries
were caused to several Harijans, and their jewellery and other properties
looted.
I may mention here
that Gandhiji publicly criticised the caste Hindus who had committed the above
crime. In 1949, 100 armed Maravars from Elanjambur and 50 Harijans of
Veerambal, clashed with each other as a result of which, 4 Harjans and one
Maravar were killed. In April 1955, there was another wave of communal
bitterness, which led the Ramanathapuram Depressed Classis. Youth league to
issue pamphlets, bitterly attacking caste Hindus, and appealing to the local
Harijans to embrace Islam, to escape from the clutches of the caste Hindus.
This unfortunate
tension between the Thevars and the Harijans became more pronounced during the
early part of this year, with the approach of the general Elections, the
Thevars were anxious to keep the Harijans under their control to ensure that
they supported only their party candidate. The Government was justifiably
concerned with this tension, but the imperative need of the hour was to ensure
free and fair elections, and special precautionary measures were put into
operation in Mudukulathur taluk.
Arrangements were
also made to enable the quick movement of the Police in parties of sufficient
strength in interior tracts. Largely due to precautionary steps, major breaches
of the peace were averted, and the situation kept under control in a difficult
period. Even so, complaints were received by Government, of incidents where the
Thevars tried to harass the Harijans who voted for the Congress, by pouring
kerosene oil into the wells used by the Harijans and setting fire to their
houses.
The situation
worsened shortly after the General Elections. The Government received petitions
alleging several cases of lawlessness as a result of the inflammatory speeches
by Sri. Muthuramlinga Thever, inciting his followers to harass Nadars and
Harijans, and such of those who had supported Congress candidates during the
General Elections. As some of these cases are still sub-judice, I am not
refering to them in detail.
As the by-elections
in the Mudukulathur Assembly Constituency approached, reports were received by
Government, that concerted efforts were being made by the Thevars to prevent
Harijans from exercising their franchise, which they feared might be in favored
of the Congress. Sri Muthuramalinga Thevar and his men made speeches, markedly
violent in tone, and containing disparaging references to Central and State
Ministers and local officials. He openly boasted that the officials could not
do anything against him, or those who are under his protection.
It was not
surprising therefore, that the Harijans of the area made specific requests to
Government, that if they were to exercise their franchise without fear, they
should be given protection from the Maravars. To enable everybody, irrespective
of their caste or community to exercise their franchise without fear of
intimidation, the Government moved a few companies of the Armed Reserve into
this area during the period. The by-elections also passed off peacefully.
But the by-elections
which were over on 4th July 1957 left a trail of bitterness among
the Thevars who felt that a section of the Harijans had deferred them and voted
for the Congress. They attacked the Harijans who also retaliated in some places
where they had sufficient strength. Between then and 10th of
September, several cases of rioting, wrongful confinement, robbery, mischief to
property, etc., were reported from the area. It is, I submit, Sir, against this
background of inter-communal tension that we have to view the incident that
took place on or after 10th September 1957.
I shall now narrate
briefly, in chronological order, the details of the incidents which took place
on the 10th September and the subsequent days.
The starting point
of the recent outbreak of lawlessness was a ‘Peace Conference’ convened by the
Collector of Ramanathapuram on 10th September 1957, to ease out
mounting communal tension. In these taluks and to bring about a permanent
settlement. Recognised leaders of the different communities were invited to
attend this Conference. It is no record, Sir that Sri Muthuramalinga Thevar who
attended the Conference questioned the leadership one Sri Emmanuel, Leader of
the Local Depressed Classes League, who was representing the Harijans, Sri
Thevar is reported to have asked Emmanuel whether he could pose as a leader of
the same stature as Sri Thevar, and whether his assurances on behalf of the
Harijans were worth having.
To this, Sri
Emmanuel replied that even though he could not pose as a leader of the same
stature as Sri Thevar, yet he had his own following among the Harijans. It is
also learnt, Sir, that while coming out of the Conference, Sri Muthuramalinga
Thevar chided his followers for allowing even Pallans like Emmanuel to talk
back to him. The very next day, Sri Emmanuel was brutally murdered at
Paramakudi. I shall not refer to further details about this case, because it is
likely to become sub-judice sooner or later. This murder touched off a series
of crimes in Mudukulathur and adjoing areas.
On 13th
September 1957, at about 11 a.m. a mob of Thevars armed with vel-sticks and aruvals attacked the Harijans of Arunkulam and murdered five of
them, including one woman. They also set fire to 21 Harijan houses and throw
four of the dead bodies into the fire. The immediate provocation for this was
that the Harijans had objected to the singing of a song in the praise of Sri
Muthuramalinga Thevar, in a drama which had been jointly organised and was
enacted on 12th September 1957 at Arunkulam. The Harijans of
Arunkulam retaliated the same day. They gathered together and attacked the
Thevars, murdered three of them including two women, set fire to their houses,
and threw the dead bodies into the fire.
On the morning of
14th September 1957, there was a clash between Harijans and Thevars
at Orakudi village, in which four Harijans were injured.
The same day, a
police party which had gone to Keelathooval village to apprehend the accused in
the Emmanuel murder case, was attacked by an unlawful assembly of a few
hundreds of Thevars armed with deadly weapons. The police had to open fire in
self-defence on this unlawful assembly, as a result of which five Maravars were
killed. On orders from Government, Sri S. Venkateswaran I.C.S., Member, Board
of Revenue, conducted an enquiry into the incident. The report of the Board
Member has been printed and placed on the table of the house. Sri
Venkateswaran, in his report, has held that the police had to open fire in
self-defence and the opening of fire was justified, and the Government have
accepted his findings.
At about 6 a.m. on
16th September 1957, there was a clash between the Thevars of Elanjambur
and Harijans of Veerambal, in which four Thevars including a woman and two Harijan
died, and 17 Harijans and two Thevars were injured. The same day a mob of armed Thevars burnt nearly 60 houses
in Erulandipatti and Senthakottai villages. Three Harijans including one woman
were killed, and a Harijan woman seriously injured.
On 16th
September 1957, a police party on patrol duty came upon some 500 Harijans at
Keerandhai and arrested 120 of them to prevent any possible attack by them on
Maravars. Several aruvals and other
weapons were recovered from them.
On the evening of
17th September 1957, about 1,000 armed Thevars gathered together at
Keerandhai for attacking the surrounding villages. On being encountered by a
Special Armed Police party, the mob rushed towards the party and attached them
with deadly weapons, including fire arms. The police opened seven rounds of
fire, killing three persons and injuring two. On their way to Keerandhai, the
same mob had earlier set fire to some Harijans house in Muthanendal villege.
At about 4 p.m. on
18th September 1957, a Thevar mob set fire to Harijan houses in
Thattangudi village.
The next day at
about 10 p.m. a police party noticing that huts were burning in Perambacheri
village in Sivaganga taluk, went in the direction of the fire, when about 100
armed Thevars surrounded and attacked them. The police had to open nine rounds
of fire to disperse this crowd. No loss of life was reported.
The same day, cases
of mischief by fire to Harijan huts were reported from Tirupachetti, Nallur,
Tiruppuvanam, Vadi and Piramnoor villages.
On 20th
September 1957 the Inspector of police Kamudhi accompanied by a Malabar Special
Police party went in pursuit of a band of Thevars, who were going about setting
fire to Palla houses in some villages in Narikudi Police Station limits. The
party encountered an armed mob of Thevars at Ulithimadai. The armed mob
attacked the police party with deadly weapons whereon the police opened fire,
in which four persons were killed.
On the same day, an
armed gange of 500 Thevars who went about setting fire to Palla houses and
looting properties in Pacheri, Kaloorani and surrounding villages, was
encountered by a Special Armed Police party under the lead of Inspector of
Police, Manamadurai, at Malavarayanendal at 5 p.m. The police ordered the mob
to surrender their arms. As the mob defied the police and pelted stones at
them, the Taluk Magistrate, Sivagana, who was with the police party, ordered
the police to open fire. Even after three rounds were fired, the mob still
advanced towards the police party, where on three more rounds were fired. One
person who was injured as a result of the firing died on the way to hospital.
Later on the same
day, there was a gruesome incident in Veerambal. About 200 Thevars from
Elanjambur and surrounding villages armed with deadly weapons attacked the
Harijans of Veerambal. The frightened Harijans ran to a church and took shelter
inside it after closing the doors and windows. But the assailants continued
their pursuit, went to the church, burnt the doors, smashed the windows and
shot at the Harijans inside, killing two of them and injuring 32 others. One of
the injured persons died subsequently.
Between the 21st
and 30th September, several cases of rioting, arson and mischief
were reported from some of the villages in the area, though they did not
involve loss of life. Hon. Members could appreciate from these incidents the
explosive nature of the situation and the extent to which the Thevars of the
area were conscious of their communal superiority. It was to these people, that
Sri Muthuramalinga Thevar had been making speeches designed to foment communal
hatred and violence. I may refer to a few typical speeches of his.
Speaking at Madurai
on 12th May 1956, he declared that he would start a nationwide
violent struggle unless India quit the commonwealth.
In June 1956, he
made a speech at Abhiramam, in which he threatened the police officials that
any mischief directed against him would result in serious consequence to the
police. While addressing a public gathering at Tiruppuvanam-Pudur on 10th
July 1957, he said the Congressmen indulged in atrocities of all kinds, and
that if they exceeded the limits, he would be prepared to commence a Third
World War in Mudukulathur instead of in Kashmir.
On 16th
September 1957, addressing a public meeting at Vakampatti, Sri Thevar referred
to the communal strife raging in Mudukulathur and Paramakudi areas. Obviously the
reference was to the incidents which had occured at Arunkulam, Keelathooval,
Veerambal, Elanjambur, Irulandipatti and Sandakottai between 10th
and 16th September 1957. He said that the Congress had chosen fo
fight a battle in the wrong place, that the residents of the locality are
militants and have faced guns and bullets even as early as in the British
regime.
He added that his
people in view of their experience gained in the past would not be afraid of
the police, the Special Police or the Army, and that if an attempt was made to
control the situation by force, it would be repaid in the same coin and force
would be met by force. The people, he stated, would also freely use fire-arms
and civil war would be fought to establish “Dharma” in the country.
In their efforts to
maintain law and order during the recent crisis in Mudukulathur and adjoining
areas, the police arrested several suspects and accused in the various crimes. Referring
to these arrests, Sri Thevar is understood to have sated to a representative of
the “Tamil Nadu” that the Government action in arresting Thevars even in his
village of Pasumpon, where his cook and some relatives were also arrested,
amounted to challenging him for a fight.
In connection with
the enquiry by Sri S. Venkateswaran I.C.S. into the police firing at
Keelathooval village though Sri Thevar has orally announced that he and his
party would not take part in the enquiry, he seated himself in a car at the
entrance of the building where the enquiry was held. This had the effect of preventing
witness coming forward to tender evidence which might clash with Sri Thevar’s
contentions.
Honourable Members
can well understand the concern which the violent speeches of Sri Thevar and
the chain of incidents to which they led, should have caused to the Collector,
who is responsible for the maintenance of law and order in his district. The
Collector was satisfied that Sri Thevar had been openly by his speeches, and
secretly through his followers, inciting communal disorders and acts of
violence and that if he was allowed to be at large, he was likely to use his
freedom to foment communal disturbances and encourage lawlessness and breaches
of the peace. In the above circumstances the Collector did the right thing in
ordering his arrest and detention under the provisions of the Preventive
Detention Act.
Sir, I now come to
the heavy toll of life and property which these unfortunate events have taken.
In cases of open clashes between the two communities 17 Harijans and 8 Thevars
were killed. In the cases of attacks on the police and consequent police firing
all the 13 persons killed were Thevars. As regards the number of houses which
were burnt the figures are like this:
Harijan houses –
2,735
Thevar houses – 107
The following is a
rough estimate of the damages to properties:
1. Paramakudi
taluk - Rs. 11,000
2. Mudukulathur
taluk - Rs. 25,000
3. Sivaganga
taluk - Rs.
2,51,353
4. Aruppukottai
taluk - Rs. 86,350
Total: - Rs. 3,73,703
While the
restoration of law and order had been the primary concern of Government, they
have already set in motion a machinery of relief and rehabilitation. Cash
relief at the rate of Rs. 30 for each house destroyed has been disbursed of
rice and ragis have been distributed in 116 villages in the affected taluks.
In addition to the
assistance given by the State no – official agencies, particularly Ramakrishna
Mission, have started large scale relife operations, distributing cloths and
buildings materials to all affected villages. A sum of Rs. 50,000 was placed at
the disposal of the Ramkrishna Mission from out of the Cyclone Relief Fund for
organising immediate relief works. Here I would like to place on record.
Government’s appreciation of the good work done by the Mission in this area.
Government is well
aware that the malaise us more deep-seated, and that only the educational and
economic development of the area can produce a lasting solution of the problem.
Orders have already been issued to cover the entire Mudukulathur taluk by
National Extension Scheme Blocks, so as to enable this region to be intensively
developed. Besides, it is proposed to take up immediately the development of
communications, the extension of housing facilities, the provision of
irrigation and drinking water and the extension of electric power. All these
ameliorative measures will require finances of a large order and let us hope
that the Government of India will lend us a helping hand.
Some criticisms have
been leveled against the Government about handling of the situation. It is not
necessary nor do I propose to analyse the reasons which have prompted these
allegations. I shall refer briefly to the main points urged by the critics of
the Government.
The main criticism
has been that the Government did not order a judicial enquiry into each case of
police firing, and into the Keelathooval firing, in particular. The object of
an enquiry into a case of police firing is to find out whether the police were
justified in having opened fire. Under the existing orders of the Government
whenever a Government Servant opens fire while engaged in his official duties,
the Collector of the district has to order an enquiry into the incident by a
Magistrate. Usually such an enquiry is conducted by the Revenue Divisional
Officer concerned, who is also an Executive First-class Magistrate.
In the last few
years, the Government has instituted official enquiries into other cases of
police firings major importance. The enquiry into the police firing in
Tuticorin in 1953 was done jointly by a senior Collector Sir C.A. Ramakrishnan
and the then Sub-judge or Tuticorin. The police firing at Dalmiapuram which
took place at the same time was also jointly enquired into by the District
Collector and Sub-judge. Sri W.R.S. Sathianathan I.C.S. then member Board of
Revenue, conducted the enquiry into the Naduvattam Police firing of 1954.
The enquiry into
the police firing at Valparai early this year was conducted by Sri T.N.S.
Raghavan, Member, Board of Revenue. In all these cases, including the recent
one, Government have invested the enquiring officers with powers under the
Commissions of Enquiry Act to enable them to compel the attendance of witnesses
and to take evidence on oath and to confer immunity to witness from any civil
or criminal proceedings in respect of statements made by them. These enquiries
are therefore in the real sense, judicial enquiries.
The only other
objection that can be raised in this case, is that the enquiry was entrusted to
an Executive Officer and not a member of the judiciary. Sir, here I would draw
the attention of the House to the fact even the worst critics of the
Keelathooval Enquiry have not questioned the choice of the Enquiring Officer.
They have on the other hand paid handsome tributes to the integrity, impartiality
and experience of the Officer.
Honourable Members
will agree with me that the Tuticorin, Dalmiapuram, Naduvattam and Valparai enquires
were all conducted in an impartial manner and that the public were fully
satisfied with them. As a matter of fact, this method of enquiry has become and
accepted procedure which commands the confidence of the public and service the
purpose for which such enquiries are meant. There was therefore no hesitation
on the part of Government to order a similar enquiry, as soon as the news of
the Keelathooval police firing was received, Hounourable Members might remember
that the public announcement of the proposed enquiry was made within twenty
four hours of the incident. At the time the enquiry was ordered, the only
consideration was the seriousness of the firing in question.
Sir, it is
significant that the demand for a judicial enquiry has now veered to a demand
for a general enquiry into all the developments, including the underlying
causes for the disturbances. Such a probe at this juncture can only aggravate
the situation, and give a new lease to the forces of hatred and disunity that
are just being brought under control.
In respect of the
Keelathooval firing, I am pained to note that the allegation that the police
tied the hands of the victims and shot them dead, is still being persisted in, notwithstanding
the fact that Sri Venkateswaran has given a clear finding, based on
indisputable medical and other evidence, that the allegation is false. I would
request the Hounourable Members to go through the report placed on the table of
the House and I am sure they will agree with me that on the basis of the
evidence available, no enquiring officer could have come to a different
conclusion.
I should next refer
to the criticisms on the tour of Sri Datar, Minister of State in the Union
Ministry of Home affairs, It has been alleged that he had been briefed
incorrectly and that his enquiries were one-sided. To say the least, these are
very uncharitable allegations against a Minister of the Central Government, who
had come all the way from Delhi to assess the situation on first-hand knowledge
and to help us to the extent possible. Hounourable Members are perhaps aware that
prominent members of the Opposition parties accompanied Sri Datar in his tour
for the first two days. All of a sudden they dropped off, and gave a statement
to the press alleging that Sri Datar’s enquiry was partial and one-sided. I
still do not know why representatives of the Opposition parties did not
accompany Sri Datar throughout his tour unless it be that they thought that
they could escape from facts that way.
Another criticism
to which I should refer, is the allegation of police excesses during raids and
searches of villages predominately inhabited by Thevars. Reports received by
Government do not bear out this allegation, I may, however, assure the House
that all complaints of highlighted on the part of the police, are being enquired
into whatever may be the findings on those enquiries, I am sure Honourable
Members will agree with me that in tackling these disturbances, the police were
faced with a very difficult situation and on the whole they have risen to the
occasion without fear or favor.
It has also been
alleged that the Harijans of the area were not given adequate protection, even
though it was known that there was considerable tension between the Thevars and
the Harijans. I have already explained in detail the elaborate police
arrangements which were made for ensuring peace in the area, from the time of
the last general elections. In fact, at present the entire Special Armed Police
of this State and 4 companies which the Andhra State has very kindly lent us in
this emergency are deployed in that area. They will be kept there till the
people of that locality feel assured that their life and property will be safe.
Honourable Members will however agree with me that police arrangements alone cannot
ensure lasting peace unless the people of the locality learn to sink their
petty differences and live in harmony as common citizens of a free country.
It has been alleged
that these clashes are not really communal in their origin but political. This
controversy is as unnecessary as it is unedifying. The only political element
in these regrettable incidents is that the deep-rooted communal animosities in
this area have been deliberately worked up by interested political groups.
Unfortunate as these happenings are, it is even more tragic that these should
have been exploited by interested parties for their own political propaganda.
In any case, may I
now appeal to all sections of this House to help remove rancour, which is a
blot on the fair name of Tamilnad. I would also request this House to endorse
my appeal to the Members of both the communities involved in the clashes not to
fritter away their energies in this manner. The need of the hour is that all energies
should be canalised towards the constructive tasks now being undertaken in this
area.
I would also like
to place on record Government deep sympathy with the families of those who lost
their lives during the riots and also to those other victims who have suffered
injuries or losses to property.
There are certain
things which should be kept above politics, above the petty wrangling of
political groups, there are certain problems towards solving which all public
workers should unite in the common endeavour irrespective of any party
affiliations. It is the duty of all those cherish the interests of our country
to help in creating in the riot-affected areas as atmosphere of good-will,
sympathy and mutual understanding. I have already referred to the twofold
programme taken up by Government to meet the situation. The first is to take
all steps to restore law and order and ensure protection to the people. The
second is the implementation of schemes, intended to raise the economic, social
and cultural levels of life, in these areas which have for long remained
obstinately backward. In this formidable task, Government will not only be
willing but happy, to have the help and constructive co-operation of all public
workers.
It is my hope and
prayer, and I am sure it is also the hope and prayer of the Honourable Members
here present, that the ugly incidents which have ravaged the area will never
recur, and that all the communities in the district will in future be able to
live in complete amity and peace.
Sri M.
Kalyanasundaram: Sir...
Mr. Speaker: There
cannot be any discussion on the statement made by the Hon. Minister.
Sri M.
Kalyanasundaram: Sir, I am not rising to discuss the statement. I am only trying
to make a suggestion to the Chair. It would be better if a copy of the statement
made by the Hon. Minister is circulated to the Members before this evening as
it contains some useful information which will be helpful for further study of
the matter.
Mr. Speaker: I
would like to know from the Hon. Minister whether there is any objection to the
suggestion made by the Hon. Member.
The Hon. Sri M.
Bhaktavatsalam: I think Hon. Members would perhaps desire a Tamil version of
the statment to be circulated to them. I shall, however, arrange to have it
circulated to them on the 28th morning.
Sri M.
Kalyanasundaram: Pending the circulation of the Tamil translation of the
statement, I suggest that copies of the statement in English may be circulated
to at least the leaders of all parties before this evening.
Sri. K. Vinayakam: Sir,
the statement just now read by the Hon. Minister is too long to be assimilated
by just hearing it. It is a good piece of literature and I would like the Hon.
Minister to arrange to circulate the English copies of the statement to the
Members beforehand so that we may be prepared for the discussion.
The Hon. Sri M.
Bhaktavatsalam: I shall try to get the English copy of the statement circulated
to the Members before the House rises to-day.
Sri A. Vedrathnam
Pillai: இந்த
முதுகுளத்தூர் சம்பவம் இரு வகுப்பினர்களுக்குள்ளே ஏற்பட்டது. அது மறவர்களுக்கும் பள்ளர்களுக்கும்.
ஒரு சின்ன திருத்தம். ஒரு தவறு இருக்கிறது. கனம் மந்திரி அவர்கள் அறிக்கையிலே தேவர்
என்று சொல்லி இருப்பது பல சாதி...
Mr. Speaker: கனம்
மந்திரி அவர்கள் இந்த ஸ்டேட்மென்ட் கொடுத்த பிறகு எந்தவிதமான கேள்வியோ அல்லது திருத்தமோ
செய்யக் கூடாது என்று 81-வது விதியில் சொல்லப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. இதை தாங்கள் தயவுசெய்து
கேட்டுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். இந்த ஸ்டேட்மென்ட் விவாதத்திற்கு வரும்போது கேள்விகள் கேட்கலாம்.
அல்லது திருத்தப் பிரேரணைகள் கொடுக்கலாம். இந்த நேரத்தில் அப்படி ஒன்றும் செய்ய முடியாது.
The Hon. Sri M.
Bhaktavatsalam: Sir, I shall try to have the English copy of the statement
circulated to the Members before the House rises to-day. I shall also try to
get the Tamil version of the statement circulated to the Members of the 28th
morning.
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