[BrianGoldsmith]

Not withstanding the goody-goody post by Mr. Goundamani, the reality is quite different. And also, the so-called good relations between Vanniyar-Dalit communities and the saintly aspects of Ramadoss is a major misrepresentation of the facts. He primarily rose on the backs of violence against Dalits and Govt property including burning of buses, blocking of highways by cutting trees, burning tyres, attacking villagers with sickles in groups etc. In the late 80's almost 25,000 Dalit huts were burnt and Dalits attacked and made homeless and some killed during the Vanniyar agitation led by Mr. Ramadoss.

Check the following article about the Dalit-Vanniyar conflicts from last year. Does not seem so rosy to me. Looks more like a temporary truce between the two communities for now. By the way the two-tumbler system is still intact, wonder why Ramadoss does not reform his caste first before asking Brahmins to reform themselves.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/20/stor...2005411300.htm

But of course after burning Dalits huts, they will turn around and blame Brahmins and ask for reservations in the name of social justice!

Also, this Ramadoss asked to separate TN into two states in 2002 (primarily Vanniar dominated districts), and wanted a Vanniar to be the Chief Minister. If that is not casteist, I do not know what is. And they have been reaping the benefits of MBC reservations, pushing aside other MBCs. No wonder he is against the exclusion of the affluent layer, the first casualty will be his votebank who are snatching opportunities from other castes.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1917/19170400.htm

And rightly so, Thol Thirumavalavan fought against this separatist demand because he knew what it would entail for the Dalits who ended up in that state. Here is another link to his interview in 2002:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/12inter.htm

And lastly, the following is a fascinating look into the whole Dravidian movement, which was primarily an upper-caste Non-Brahmin movement against the domination of the Brahmins who rose to prominence during British rule as administrators and judges.


http://www.tamilnation.org/caste/nambi.htm