In the quiet, often overlooked villages of Palakkad, where the borders of Kerala meet Tamil Nadu, caste dynamics shape lives in ways the rest of the world can scarcely imagine.
Published Nov 11, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2024 | 12:44 PM
Caste-based issues remain deeply entrenched in the so-called progressive Kerala, with many such challenges often ignored by the media and government.
In the quiet, often overlooked villages of Palakkad, where the borders of Kerala meet Tamil Nadu, caste dynamics shape lives in ways the rest of the world can scarcely imagine.
The tragic story of Haritha and her late husband Aneesh is not just a tale of love torn apart by violence — it is a reflection of the deep-seated caste tensions that still haunt the region.
On Christmas Day in 2020, Aneesh, a painter from a marginalised community, was brutally murdered by his father-in-law and uncle-in-law, both from a privileged caste.
Their crime, driven by an age-old disdain for caste-crossing love, was more than just a personal tragedy for Haritha — it was a cruel reminder of the forces that continue to govern lives in places like Thenkurissi.
In the aftermath of the court’s verdict, Haritha’s demand for justice resonated beyond the courtroom. “I am not satisfied with this verdict,” she said, her voice tinged with the weight of centuries of oppression.
“The accused should receive the death penalty.” Her pain reflects the broader suffering of many Dalits and lower-caste communities in the region, where brutal systems of caste-based discrimination persist, often hidden in plain sight.
In the villages along the Eastern Tamil Nadu border, where caste colonies continue to thrive, the scars of inequality run deep. Dalit torture, untouchability, and exclusion remain insidious forces in the everyday lives of many. Haritha’s fight is not only for the memory of her husband but for the many others whose voices have been silenced in the battle for dignity, respect, and equality.
To truly understand what remains in Thenkurissi and beyond, we must look beyond the headlines and into the lives of those living under the shadow of caste, where the fight for justice is not just legal but deeply personal.
AK Balan, then Minister, visits Haritha and Aneesh’s family after his murder.
Despite the tragic loss of her husband, Haritha remains the true victim of the Thenkurissi honour killing.
Four years after Aneesh’s death, she still cannot step out of her home to search for a job. For years, she has been trapped in a cycle of struggle simply because she married the man she loved.
The heart-wrenching part of her story is that, even as a young widow, Haritha continues to live in her husband’s home, reliant on his parents for support, including covering her educational expenses.
In a conversation with South First, Haritha spoke about her ongoing fears of being confined to a cage.
“It’s painful that I’m still depending on my in-laws for my survival,” she said.
“My father’s words still echo in my ears. He threatened me, saying, ‘You will lose your thaali (sacred thread) in 90 days.’ And they killed my husband on the 88th day of our marriage. Before marriage, my father and I had a close relationship. He loved me a lot, but now he’s the reason for all my pain.”
Although Haritha described herself as a very dependent person, the death of her husband has somehow given her the strength to fight legally, speak out in the media, and tell her story in court.
“It’s still surprising to me,” she confessed.
When discussing her in-laws, Arumukham and Radha, the parents of Aneesh, Haritha expressed deep gratitude.
“I call them ‘appa’ and ‘amma’ now. They treat me like their own daughter. They are always there for me when I need to go outside, due to fear. We still fear that what happened to Aneesh might happen to me too. They supported me financially throughout my graduation time in BBA (Finance). Amma would accompany me to my exams. But even after completing my degree, I can’t look for a job because of the threats from my own family. I can never go out alone.”
Haritha continued, “Financial independence is my dream, but how can a woman who lives in constant fear ever achieve that? Especially when our homes are just two kilometers apart, and all our relatives are around. I often wonder: what does graduation even mean if it can’t help me earn a living? Relying on others for survival, especially when they are our loved ones, is the most painful experience.”
Caste-based issues remain deeply entrenched in the so-called progressive Kerala, with many such challenges often ignored by the media and government.
In the Tamil Nadu border villages of eastern Palakkad, caste colonies persist, despite these areas being Tamil-speaking and heavily influenced by Tamil culture, such as villages like Thenkurissi. These villages fall within Kerala’s borders, yet ministers often boast that Kerala has no “villages,” only “extensions of urban areas.”
In a conversation with South First, writer Vipindas G, a native of Palakkad district, shared insights into the harsh realities faced by non-Brahmin and Dalit, marginalised Tamil castes in these border villages.
He pointed out that places like Govindapuram, Chammanampathi, and Meenakshipuram, where Tamil cultural roots dominate, are still rife with untouchability practices.
Despite their strong Tamil cultural influence, these areas remain marked by deep social divides, including caste-based discrimination. Vipindas highlighted the persistent segregation, especially when it comes to using common wells or participating in temple prayers.
‘’One of the most notable examples of caste discrimination was faced by the Chakliya community in Govindapuram, which experienced untouchability and caste-based exclusion. The issue garnered media attention at the time, yet the struggles continue to persist, largely overlooked by mainstream discourse.’’
VT Balram shares meal with members of the Ambedkar Dalit Colony during his visit.
On 5 June, 2017, VT Balram, the then-MLA of Thrithala in Palakkad, shared a Facebook post that exposed the stark caste realities in Palakkad, bringing national attention to its border villages.
He described the disturbing conditions in Govindapuram’s Ambedkar Colony.
Balram wrote, “Unbelievable practices are happening here. Caste is visibly enforced in everyday life — even in the water and tea. In tea shops, two sets of tumblers are used, one for the higher castes and another for the Chakkliyars. For drinking water, there are separate taps; one for the Chakkliyars and one that they are not even allowed to touch, reserved for the upper castes.”
Speaking to South First under anonymity, a resident of Ambedkar Colony shared, “We read about Kerala’s progress every day in the newspapers, but here, my children and I still have to stand up and show respect whenever a Gowdar — whom we call Counder — passes by. Despite media attention and government intervention, they continue to treat us like servants.”
“When the state government denies caste discrimination in court, who can we turn to for equality? Even For our children, it remains only a dream,” the resident said.
When South First contacted Kerala Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes OR Kelu asking about the crisis faced by Haritha, he said, “It’s a reality that certain caste practices are re-emerging in Kerala, sometimes more severe than before. However, caste is not the only factor driving these issues; financial and family problems also play a role. Yet, in public discourse, only the caste aspect tends to gain attention. This is something I’ve observed in such cases. In Palakkad, it’s evident that certain caste practices persist, possibly due to Tamil influence. I believe that the SC/ST Commission and the government must take much stricter action to address these issues. I will definitely look into this matter.”
Former SC/ST Commission member S Ajayakumar, known for his dedication to addressing caste discrimination, spoke to South First about his experiences during his tenure.
“While serving on the commission, I became aware of the deep-seated caste discrimination in Palakkad’s Vadakarappathi, Kozhinjampara, Muthalamada, and Gopalapuram villages. Dalits in these areas have endured brutal attacks by Gowders for not standing to show respect, are denied fair wages, and face restrictions on temple entry — all of which are unacceptable. The commission visited these areas and submitted detailed reports addressing these issues.”
In January 2021, a disturbing incident occurred in Palakkad when a public crematorium denied a Dalit woman’s family permission to perform her last rites. The SC/ST Commission intervened, addressing the issue thoroughly.
Advocate Soumya Soman, a former SC/ST Commission member who was part of the investigating team, told South First, “The Commission tackled the issue effectively. Our first finding revealed that some of the crematorium land was encroached upon, and we ordered that it be returned. Secondly, we made it clear that the crematorium, built with public funds, is meant for use by everyone — Dalit or upper caste alike — as a shared public resource.”
When South First reached out to TK Vasu, a current member of the SC/ST Commission, regarding follow-up actions in these border villages, he responded that he would need to review additional files on such issues before providing a comment.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
