The Dalit community in Kerala has been protesting the ‘caste wall’ for a year now, only for it to get stronger. The police and state have attempted cracked down on the protests, arrest activists, and journalists who happen to be inclined towards the issue. Casteism in India is not a new issue and still remains very fresh in the minds of every Indian without a doubt. But, will this significant protest go down in history as just another attempt to break the ‘caste wall’ or will it actually succeed in its purpose?
This protest is only an offshoot of what has been around for a year until it has escalated to capture media attention. This is peculiar for a state known constantly for its progress and development. That is exactly why this is such an important issue and cannot be ignored. The protest was begun and led by the Adivasi Dalit Munetta Samithi. It is a protest that came to the front door of governance in Thiruvananthapuram by protesting in front of the Secretariat. The protest is based on the unfair land reforms in the state.
The story
It begins with a 1.7 metre high, and 400 metre long wall was built by the NSS (Nair Service Society) in 2016 when the community in Kerala preventing their temple entry to celebrate a festival. This wall was protested and torn down in April 2017 by Dalit Bhoo Avakasa Samara Munnani. Since then, 160 families have been protesting the unfairness in land rights. The families vowed in the Kerala High Court that they would protest till their demands were met.
The Arippa agitation is another piece of evidence of the uneven development of Kerala. Land ownership too has its own historical origins. The Land reforms Act of the 1960s raised the hopes of landless tenants to own their own land but not the tribals community in the area. 2 journalists video-taping the protest and seven Dalits have currently been arrested in the protest which has brought much criticism to the government of Kerala and the police. It’s strange to see a clampdown of voices in Kerala. It shouldn’t have to be a year before people receive their rights. The fact that nobody from the government personnel have chosen to speak on the matter adds to the mystery of this movement.