Books on social history of pure Tamil (Pachchai Tamizhar) caste Non-Brahmin Communities record the discriminatory laws practised by these castes against Dalits - if a Dalit girl was raped by a caste non-Brahmin , he was required to give a small pot of rice in compensation - Dalits were not allowed to use water from the same wells as other caste non-Brahmins. These laws were practised even in villages where there were no Brahmins and the panchayat decisions were based on these laws. Yet EVR who is projected as a COURAGEOUS FIGHTER for social justice NEVER NEVER had the COURAGE to talk againt such oppression because he was SCARED of antagonizing the MAJORITY. He targeted ONLY the Brahmins (because they were small numerically , basically disorganized and gutless too!) and tried to create an impression that they were solely responsible and that the Tamil Non-Brahmins had always championed the Dalits. When Pasumpon Thevar issued a warning that Periyar would be hacked (killed) if he did his atheist propaganda in his district this man avoided Theni & other places where Thevar had great influence.
Though I am of Brahmin descent I will admit that over the centuries we have committed many social offences against Dalits including untouchability BUT WE ARE NOT THE SOLE CRIMINALS as is being projected today - the Non-Brahmins (Business & other communities)have committed even greater atrocities & are now fooling the people. Periyar fully deserves the "CREDIT" for this trend. In the second half of 2003 in a village in Tamilnad feacal matter was thrust by Tamil NON_BRAHMINS into the mouths of Dalits and a 2 page coverage was given in 'The Hindu' Sunday supplement but the DK, DMK, PMK did not care - if the perpetrators had been Brahmins we would have seen the 'RAGE & COURAGE' of Tamils.
Dr. Ambedkar (Hats off to him!) was a great fighter for social justice but EV Ramasamy Naicker does not fall in the same category.
