Keezhavenmani massacre: CPI vows to fight for equality
Those accused in the case were acquitted by the Madras high court, but later a few of them were murdered by Naxalite groups.
Chennai: CPI and Dalit outfits remembered Keezhavenmani massacre that occurred 47 years ago and vowed to work against casteist oppression, untouchability and honour killings.
In Keezhavenmani village of Nagapattinam district, 44 Dalits including women and children were burnt to death when they protested demanding payment of wages. Those accused in the case were acquitted by the Madras high court, but later a few of them were murdered by Naxalite groups.
Recalling the day, CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said, “Untouchability has been declared illegal 67 years ago. But, crimes of untouchability are going up in the social and economic spheres. Honour killings have become routine affair”.
Once the Dalits were beaten for refusing to carry dead cattle, but now they are being beaten and humiliated for skinning out cattle, he said. Even if the challenge is tough, progressive forces take a vow to fight till equality is attained in the social and economic spheres, he added. CPM leaders, along with VCK and other outfits will pay homage to the victims on December 25, besides taking a vow for social equality.