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On the threshold of the 21st century, smokes of untouchability and
caste-based ostracism billow over Kodakkad, ironically painted as a
Communist bastion.
Thirty-odd Vaniya families have been ostracised, preventing them
from attending any wedding, funeral or other social occasions in
this rustic village, which hosted the state's first ever farmers'
conference in the '30s.
The offenses of these ex-communicated families are varied. While
some have invoked the wrath of the community leaders by dining with
a family owing allegiance to the Yukthivadi Sangham, there are
others who are being punished for attending inter-caste or love
marriages solemnised without the assent of those belonging to the
top rungs of their society.
Kodakkad is sharply divided over most issues, with two retired
headmasters of the local ALP school taking up cudgels against each
other. Majority of the community leaders who impose the law as
well as those who are excommunicated are Marxists.
The community heavy-weights exercise considerable command over the
"lesser ones." On one occasion, the entire contingent of invitees
at a marriage ceremony walked out even before the food was served
because someone who had been ex-communicated had turned up for the
function.
Even the dead are not spared. Recently, members of the "elite"
community left a funeral without even lighting the pyre, because an
ex-communicated person had helped in carrying the dead body to the
cremation ground.
Tired of being exploited, the oppressed are determined not to take
things lying down. Their brewing resentment spewed fire when a
group of people, on their way to attend a wedding which had the
blessing of the community leaders, ran into resistance. Protestors
led by a Karshaka Sangham activist and retired headmaster M V
Kunhiraman gheraoed the marriage party. Police had to intervene to
disperse the mob.
In a notice distributed in Kodakkad, the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham
described the ban on these families as the "crazy deeds of
barbarians". The K-YS adds, "We, in Kodakkad, fought for freedom
land and employment not on casteist fines. Yet caste, that had to
be buried along with feudalism, is wreaking havoc in our lives."
Yukthivadi Sangham worker, K V Sankaran, excommunicated from the
community some years back, told The Indian Express that about a
dozen families were ostracised for attending his sons', weddings.
Vasanthi's story speaks volumes on the writ of casteism. Along
with her entire family, she was thrown out of the community for
tying the nuptial knot with a man of her choice who belonged to a
different caste. Matters did not end there. Four families were
also ex-communicated a few months back for attending Vasanthi's
cousin's wedding.
In another instance, Girija faced bitter humiliation when her
wedding present to her friend, Thankamani, was returned because the
former's father was an outcast.
However, Thankamani's family escaped punishment for having invited
Girija after offering a cock, tender coconut and a bottle of
coconut oil at the temple of Muchilottu Bhagavathy, the community
deity.
'Me ban on Anikadi Chanthukunhi, who was ex-communicated for six
years, was recently lifted after he repented for his "sin." He was
forced to keep away from his niece's marriage as atonement.
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