Two tumbler systems in Tea shops
“A study on two tumbler system in Tea shops”
Study reveals that 463 tea shops practice two tumbler systems among in 149 villages of Madurai district.
83% of the villages follows Two-tumbler system.
45 % of the teas shops have discriminatory seating platforms.
91% of the Dalits situation is to stand and drink tea in teas shops.
Study findings
Two tumbler systems exist in tea shops is an occurrence for years together which has been exposed and came to light through the study and media report. Markedly there were facts about the village’s that practice two tumbler systems. Beyond this there is no such comprehensive study on the different form, nature and other discrimination systems followed in tea shops. Based on this situation the Evidence organization has planned to undertake a detail study on the two tumbler systems in Madurai villages.
Study area
In the month of May 2012 in Madurai district we decided to conduct a study on two tumbler system in Madurai district with a study format comprised of 30 questions. The Study include villages namely Tirumangalam, Usilampatti, Perayoor, Madurai south, Madurai North, Vadipatti, including 7 Melur Taluks, Kalikudi, Tirumangalam, Chellampatti, Tiruparakundram, Kottampatti, Alangallur in total 13 panchayat unions. Though our study team went around various villages only 149 persons of these villages gave their statement boldly that two tumbler systems exists. Therefore we have done a detail study in 149 villages regarding two tumbler systems.
Types of two tumbler system
The study reveals that among the 149 village two tumbler systems has been practiced in 463 tea shops. Out of 149 villages tea are given in separate tea glasses for Dalits and Caste Hindus in 131 villages. Further same type of tea tumblers are served in shops but separate for dalits and separate glass for caste Hindus are served and kept separately in 12 villages studied. Then Dalit were given tea in same type of separate glass tumblers and in order to prevent the mixing of tumblers owners use painted marks on the bottom of the tumbler meant for Dalits in 14 villages. Whereas in 8 villages though same type of tumblers are served but the quality and condition differs for Dalits was revealed in the study. Disposable Plastic (use & throw) tea cups are served for Dalits and for the caste hindus stainless steel and glass tumblers are served in 124 villages (83%). For dalits glass tumblers are given and for caste hindus stainless steel tumblers are served in 10 villages (6.7%). In 6 villages (4%) dalits are served tea in glass tumblers whereas caste hindus are served in stainless steel tumblers in tea shops. In one village tea is served in stainless steel tumblers as well as glass tumbler and for Dalits in aluminum tumblers.
Other forms of untouchability in tea shops
In 9 villages the dalits were asked to wash themselves the used tumblers in tea shops. It was also found that in 67 tea shops (45%) discriminatory seating arrangements exists for dalits in tea shops. Moreover it was also found that in 135 tea shops the caste Hindus are allowed to sit and dalits are made to stand to drink tea in shops still exists. In136 villages there are a situation exists where the social mobility remains tough for dalits in tea in the shops. Not only this in 42 villages (28%) caste hindus are obtain quality tea whereas Dalits get low quality tea in the shop.
The study reveals that in 83% of the tea shops Dalits are served tea in disposable cups to throw away whereas other are served in tumblers which are washed and kept exclusive for the caste Hindus. Though, this seems to be that two tumblers system has gone the hidden fact is that tea master does not want to wash the tumblers used by Dalits. Therefore, in this modern society the untouchability also has turn out to be a modern discrimination. Though caste Hindus are well aware that practicing two tumblers system is a crime in order to conceal the crime the caste hindus using disposable plastic tea cups.Hence on behalf of the civil society our organization wants to emphasize to the government that there is no change in the mind-set in the caste hindu tea owners.
Worse forms of two tumblers system?
During our study visit to the villages of Maruthangudi, Kallikudi Union, Thirumangalam Taluk and Madurai District we found that Dalits were asked to remove their slippers 20 feet away from the tea shops. In the Uchappatti village, chellmpatti Union, Usilampatti Taluk, Dalits take their own vessels/tumblers from their homes and to get tea from the tea shops. The caste hindu tea masters won’t even touch those vessels belongs to Dalits. In chellampatti village, Kovilankulam, Panchayat, of Usilampatti Taluk, two type of seating arrangement found (discriminatory seating) prevails. Though, Dalits and caste Hindus are served tea in separate tumblers given for Dalits are marked by paint for identification at the bottom of the tumblers. Mr.Sadayandi, a dalit man from Pasukaranpatti village of chellampatti Union confessed to our researchers that, recently he went to a nearby village to convey a death news .when he went to the tea shops, he saw separate tumblers kept for Dalits which was kept in the roof of the shop roof to be served only for dalits. After having the teas I was asked to wash the tumbler and kept it back in the same place allotted for dalits. In Kovilankulam village of Sellampatti Union two types of seating arrangements exists and Dalits are not allowed to run a tea shop, is the village set of laws followed by the village. In Sathankudi village, Thirumangalam Union, Dalits are made to sit on the floor and drink tea. In this village Dalits are given tea in stainless steel tumblers and for caste hindus tea served in Glass cups. Wearing Slippers by Dalits while going to teashops are banned in these villages. Two types of tumblers are used in the teashops of V.Chathirapatti of T.Kallgudi Union. In the teashop of these village Dalits cannot sit on the chair or bench and drink tea.
Name of the Villages Practicing Two Tumbler System
Madurai North – South Taluk
|
S.No. |
Taluk |
Union |
Name of the Village |
|
1 |
Madurai North | Madurai West | Siruvalai |
|
2 |
Madurai North | Madurai West | Vayalure |
|
3 |
Madurai North | Madurai West | Manjampatti |
|
4 |
Madurai North | Madurai West | Thodaneri |
|
5 |
Madurai North | Madurai East | Meenakshipuram Colony |
|
6 |
Madurai South | Thiruparankundram | Thenpalanchi |
|
7 |
Madurai South | Thiruparankundram | Keelakuyilkudi |
|
8 |
Madurai South | Thiruparankundram | Melakuyilkudi |
Melur Taluk
|
S.No. |
Taluk |
Union |
Name of the Village |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Thennmmanallur |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Kallampatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | M.Malampatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Arittapatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Vellaripatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Muniyandipatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Musundakiripatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | Kidaripatti |
|
|
Melur | Melur | A.Vellalapatti |
|
|
Melur | Kottampatti | Ambalakaranpatti |
Usilampatti Taluk
|
S.No. |
Taluk |
Union |
Name of the Village |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Thummakundu |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Munduvelampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Pillaneri |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Sangampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Valangakulam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Gandhinagar – Sellampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Chellampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Iyankovilpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Pasukaranpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Sadachipatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Periyakuravagudi |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Karaiyanpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Pappapatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Valanthur |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kuppanampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Utchapatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Nagalapuram |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Aariyapatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Pottulupatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kovilangulam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Ayyampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Nattamangalam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Jeyarajnagar |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Karisalpatti (Moorthi Nagar Colony) |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Paluthupatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kottaiyur |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Nathampatti – Janatha Colony |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kattathevanpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Nallperumalpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Eachampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Vikkiramangalam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Ramasamipuram |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Sokkathevanpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Sakkiliyangulam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Vadakkampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | K.J.Colony |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kaspa Muthalaikulam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Jothimanikkam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kodikulam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Boothipuram |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Muthaiyanpatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Nadumuthalaikulam |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | M.Keelapatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Kannanur |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Karuveppillai |
|
|
Usilampatti | Sellampatti | Panniyan |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | U.Pudukkottai |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | Pasumpon Nagar |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | Kavanampatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | Nadupatti Colony |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | Keeripatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | Vadugapatti |
|
|
Usilampatti | Usilampatti | Kongapatti |
Thirumangalam Taluk
|
S.No. |
Taluk |
Union |
Name of the Village |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Vidathakulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | P.Ammapatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Sokkanathanpatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | A.Kokkulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Kallapatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Chinnavagaikulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Periyavagaikulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | K.Paraipatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Vadivelkarai |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Mavilipatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Karadikkal |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | K.Alampatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Kandakulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Sathankudi |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Keelavaneri |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | Pannikundu |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumangalam | Rayapalayam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thirumanagalam | S.Valaiyapatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Thumbakulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | T.Arasapatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Veppankulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Peikulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Meittanpatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Villur |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | T.Karuppaiyapuram |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Melapatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | K.Sennampatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Maruthankudi |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | K.Vallakulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Odaipatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Valaiyankulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Motchikulam |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Maravapatti |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Chithur |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Kallikudi | Ovari Colony |
|
|
Thirumangalam | Thiruparankundram | Vadapalanchi |
Vadipatti Taluk
|
S.No. |
Taluk |
Union |
Name of the Village |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | S.Perumalpatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Melakkal |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Kattakulam |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Katchaikatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Jeminipatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Keelamattaiyan |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Kadupatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Katchirairuppu |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Thirumalnatham |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Nedungulam |
|
|
Vadipatti | Vadipatti | Ayan Kuruvithurai |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Periyailanthaikulam |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Metturajanpatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Keelachinnampatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Maravayappatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | T.Narayanapuram |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Rajakkalpatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Manikkampatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Thethur |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Sathiravellalapatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Erumapatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Errampatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | Thathagavundanpatti |
|
|
Vadipatti | Alanganallur | T.Kolanjipatti |
Peraiyur Taluk
| S.No. |
Taluk |
Union |
Village |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | P.Muthulingapuram |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Puliyampatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Kuruvapanayakanpatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Kollaveeranpatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | N.Muthulingapuram |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Muthupandipatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | V.Retrapatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Kodaneri |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Kottanipatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Kandayathevanpatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Sathirapatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Vaiyur |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Karaikeni |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | P.Supulapuram |
|
|
Peraiyur | T.Kallupatti | Kenjumpatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | Sedapatti | Kudiseri |
|
|
Peraiyur | Sedapatti | Kottaipatti |
|
|
Peraiyur | Sellampatti | Perungayanallur |
Action taken against Two-Tumbler System
Out of 149 villages which are taken for study only 11 villages preferred complaint against two tumbler system and legal action initiated only on 8 complaints that was preferred. Based on the study conducted by Evidence in 149 villages of Madurai district we found that the two tumbler system still exists. There may be such system exists in other villages where Evidence has not yet conducted a study. In the month of April 2011 the apex court has described the two tumbler system as highly objectionable and has termed it as an offense under the SC/ST act. But to our shock several tea shops and restaurants still not keeping same type of tumblers for serving teas in shops. Though Tamil Nadu Government brought out a scheme called communal party a few years back it does not brought a greater impact in Eradicating untouchability but easily faded away. Eradication of untouchability is not a customary action but change of mind set of people. Castesim is the uppermost part of the untouchability and such form of untouchability are the roots cause of castesim. Therefore, Tamil Nadu Government must take a severe action in eradicating two-tumbler system permanently from our society. For this reason, Evidence suggests the following recommendation based on the study conducted by EVIDENCE to the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
Recommendations
• Severe action should be initiated against the Teashop owners practicing two-tumbler system and case has to be registered under SC/ST Act 1989 and protection of civil rights act 1955.
• VAO’s, Thasildhar, RDO’s and law enforcement officials should be made more accountable and pass an order to the administrative officials to monitor the shops which practices two-tumbler system.
• The government should pass an order stating that teashop owner who is practicing two-tumbler system should be fined up to 5 lakhs rupees.
• The local panchayat administration should be given additional power and action to be given to the respective panchayat to monitor the prevalence of two-tumbler system.
• The government should pass a Special order to look into the untouchability not only in tea shops but restaurant, Hotel, Saloon. Ration Shop, Departmental Stores, etc…
• The status of two-tumbler system should be discussed in the meetings of vigilant and monitoring committees.