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**Raj_Copi_Jin** · 03-31-2007, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Uppuma Dear Friends,

It is surpriseing that Fsg/Bismala support carrying Caste surname and claiming proud of it.

Surnames have nothing to do with caste. Do not look at things wearing your "caste spectacles".
Apologies for the digression. Even though i don't agree with Uppuma in the dating of Tolkappiyam and the genesis of caste system, i agree with him in the issue of how Dalits are mistreated by non Brahmin upper caste Hindus. Most of the South Indian surnames are related to their castes. In Andhra, i have come across some family names as surnames, but in TN surnames are caste names. The Dravidian movement sought to end this practice and most of us in my generation and my parents generation never had surnames, only Initials.
Uppuma's calim that Dalits were not allowed to contest in panchayat elections is true. Now the history behind this is many panchayats in the Usilampatti Taluk have Dalits as minority. These seats are reserved for the minority i.e., only people from the Dalit community can contest the elections. This was vigorously opposed by the so called upper caste (the irony is that according to the current listing the opposing community comes under Denotified Tribes akka most backward caste). After a tug-of-war lasting more than a decade finally the elections were held.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/16/stor...1608610400.htm
What followed was a big celebration for 'victory of democracy'
http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/13/stor...1306760400.htm
The collector who played an important role is now transferred.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/10/stor...1008070400.htm
The fact that many suffer in the name of caste even when government has made special provision is a true fact.

03-31-2007, 04:59 AM	#29
Raj_Copi_Jin Join Date Oct 2005 Age 48 Posts 4,533 Senior Member	Originally Posted by Uppuma Dear Friends, It is surpriseing that Fsg/Bismala support carrying Caste surname and claiming proud of it. Surnames have nothing to do with caste. Do not look at things wearing your "caste spectacles". Apologies for the digression. Even though i don't agree with Uppuma in the dating of Tolkappiyam and the genesis of caste system, i agree with him in the issue of how Dalits are mistreated by non Brahmin upper caste Hindus. Most of the South Indian surnames are related to their castes. In Andhra, i have come across some family names as surnames, but in TN surnames are caste names. The Dravidian movement sought to end this practice and most of us in my generation and my parents generation never had surnames, only Initials. Uppuma's calim that Dalits were not allowed to contest in panchayat elections is true. Now the history behind this is many panchayats in the Usilampatti Taluk have Dalits as minority. These seats are reserved for the minority i.e., only people from the Dalit community can contest the elections. This was vigorously opposed by the so called upper caste (the irony is that according to the current listing the opposing community comes under Denotified Tribes akka most backward caste). After a tug-of-war lasting more than a decade finally the elections were held. http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/16/stor...1608610400.htm What followed was a big celebration for 'victory of democracy' http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/13/stor...1306760400.htm The collector who played an important role is now transferred. http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/10/stor...1008070400.htm The fact that many suffer in the name of caste even when government has made special provision is a true fact.
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