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{{short description|Collapse of a wall which killed 17 people and led to protests}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
The '''2019 Mettupalayam wall collapse''' refers to the collapse of a 20-foot wall on several houses during heavy rains in December 2019 which killed 17 people during their sleep, all members of the [[Dalit]] community. The incident happened in small village called Nadur in [[Mettupalayam, Coimbatore|Mettupalayam]], [[Tamil Nadu]], in southern [[India]]. The incident led to protests mostly from the local villagers and pro-[[Dalit]] organizations who claimed it was built to segregate the members of the Dalit Community.

== Incident ==
The incident occurred on around 5:30 a.m on 2 December 2019, when a portion of a 20-foot wall collapsed on four houses, killing 17 people inside while they were asleep.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Madhavan|first=Karthik|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/over-a-dozen-dead-as-three-houses-collapse-in-mettupalayam/article30134920.ece|title=17 killed as wall falls on three houses in Mettupalayam|date=2019-12-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-21|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/945649/tamil-nadu-wall-under-which-17-people-got-crushed-was-built-to-keep-away-dalits-allege-protestors|title=Tamil Nadu: Wall under which 17 people got crushed was built to keep away Dalits, allege protestors|author=Scroll Staff|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref> The deceased included 2 males, 3 children and 10 females.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/coimbatore-rains-wall-collapse-tamil-nadu|title=17 Dead as Wall Collapses in TN Village After Rains, 1 Arrested|date=2019-12-02|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> It happened during the heavy rains of December 2019 where more than 1000 people were kept in relief camps in various districts in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rains-continue-lash-tn-heavy-rainfall-warning-next-two-days-113241|title=Rains continue to lash TN, heavy rainfall warning for the next two days|website=The news minute|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref> Police reported that the compound wall became wet due to the rains and collapsed, burying the victims alive during their sleep.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/seventeen-killed-due-to-wall-collapse-in-tamil-nadus-mettupalayam/|title=Seventeen killed due to wall collapse in Tamil Nadu's Mettupalayam|last=Parthiban|first=Praveena|date=2019-12-02|website=The Federal|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref> The Fire department took three hours to recover the bodies of the victims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=545581|title=கோவை மேட்டுப்பாளையம் அருகே பயங்கரம் சுவர் இடிந்து 17 பேர் நசுங்கி பலி|website=தினகரன்|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref>

The wall was built with [[basalt]] rocks and was 80 feet long, 22 feet tall and 2 feet wide. It was built 10 years earlier and it was also claimed by the villagers that it was built to isolate the Dalit-settlements from the two-acre property of the owner. The residents of the colony had been demanding the removal of the wall for several years, stating it was a threat to their safety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/mettupalayam-wall-collapse-activists-allege-caste-angle/|title=Mettupalayam wall collapse: Activists allege caste angle|last=John|first=Pradeep|date=2019-12-02|website=The Federal|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsclick.in/Untouchability-Wall-Blamed-17-Deaths-Coimbatore-Dalit-Settlement|title='Untouchability Wall' Blamed for 17 Deaths in Coimbatore Dalit Settlement|date=2019-12-03|website=NewsClick|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

== Protests ==
On 2 December 2019, This led to huge protests just hours after the incident, when protesters of pro-Dalit organizations, the local villagers and the relatives of the dead assembled in front the Government Hospital in Mettupalayam, where the bodies were kept, and raised slogans. The police later arrested 25 protesters, the protesters were sent to jail for 15 days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mettupalayam-wall-collapse-protest-govt-hospital-turns-violent-police-arrest-25-113363|title=Mettupalayam wall collapse: Cops thrash protesters demanding justice for 17 dead|last=Kaveri|first=Megha|date=3 December 2019|website=The news minute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nakkheeran.in/24-by-7-news/thamizhagam/mettupalayam-issue-17-people-arrested|title=மேட்டுபாளையத்தில் 17 பேர் உயிரிழந்த விவகாரம்: இழப்பீடு கேட்டு போராடிய 24 பேருக்கு சிறை!|date=3 December 2019|website=Nakkheeran}}</ref> The protesters claimed it was a wall of discrimination to keep the Dalits at bay.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/wall-of-discrimination-fell-on-houses-allege-dalit-muslim-bodies/article30142754.ece|title='Wall of discrimination' fell on houses, allege Dalit, Muslim bodies|date=2019-12-03|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-24|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The [[Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam|Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam]], started their protests demanding the release of the 24 arrested protesters.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/tn-wall-collapse-tpdk-demand-release-of-protestors-and-compensation-for-victims-kin-119120301421_1.html|title=TN wall collapse: TPDK demand release of protestors and compensation for victims' kin|date=2019-12-03|work=Business Standard India}}</ref> The same day hundreds of people joined by various political parties blocked the road in front of the Mettupalayam Government hospital and continued their protests till police dispersed them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/12/03030944/1201256/Angry-villagers-on-road-roko-lathicharged.vpf|title=Angry villagers on road roko lathicharged|date=2019-12-03|website=dtNext.in|language=en}}</ref>

On 3 December 2019, Members belonging to the Aathi Thamizhar Peravai blocked the roads near Goripalayam demanding a hike of ₹20 lakhs from the ₹4 lakhs announced by the government to the families of the victims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/mettupalayam-wall-collapse-aathi-thamizhar-peravai-blocks-road-160652396.html|title=Mettupalayam wall collapse: Aathi Thamizhar Peravai blocks road demanding Rs 20 lakh ex-gratia|website=in.news.yahoo.com|language=en-IN}}</ref>

On 22 December 2019, Tamil Puligal, a Dalit organization claimed that over 3000 members of the Dailt community will be converting to [[Islam]] as a sign of protest against wall collapse incident and the discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/nation/2019/12/27/dalits-conversion-to-islam-mettupalayam-wall-collapse-mudaliyar-coimbatore.html|title=3,000 Dalits threaten to convert to Islam in protest against untouchability in Tamil Nadu|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/3000-dalits-to-embrace-islam-cite-discrimination-by-caste-hindus/|title=3,000 Dalits to embrace Islam, cite discrimination by caste Hindus|date=2019-12-25|website=The Federal|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/3000-dalits-tn-convert-islam-over-govt-apathy-caste-wall-collapse-114773|title=3000 Dalits in TN to convert to Islam over govt apathy in caste wall collapse|last=Thirumurthy|first=Priyanka|date=26 December 2019|website=The news minute|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> However, some residents of Nadur village rejected these claims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/tn-dalits-deny-claims-of-conversion-to-islam-report-789898.html|title=TN Dalits deny claims of conversion to Islam: Report|date=2019-12-30|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-controversy-no-plans-to-convert-say-some-dalit-kin/story-l31nj9CmLTDrpryDzY29pM.html|title=Tamil Nadu controversy: No plans to convert, say some Dalit kin|date=2019-12-27|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/villagers-in-tamil-nadu-deny-reports-of-conversion-to-islam-6190737/|title=Villagers in Tamil Nadu deny reports of conversion to Islam|date=2019-12-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> One convert said that "converting legally are being threatened by the police. As a result, there are people who can't talk about the conversion openly".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/over-400-dalits-converted-to-islam-since-caste-wall-claimed-17-lives-says-tamil-nadu-outfit-2501325.html|title=Over 400 Dalits Converted to Islam Since Collapse of 'Caste Wall' Claimed 17 Lives, Says Tamil Nadu Outfit|website=News18}}</ref> While some villagers alleged that the members of the [[Hindu Munnani]], a Sangh Parivar outfit and one of the frontal Organizations of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) in the state, visited the villagers and threatened them against their conversion to Islam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What's worse — to be a Muslim in India or a Dalit wanting azadi from caste?|url=https://thefederal.com/the-eighth-column/whats-worse-to-be-a-muslim-in-india-or-a-dalit-wanting-azadi-from-caste/|last=Tamilarasu|first=Prabhakar|date=2020-01-07|website=The Federal|language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2020, the Tamil Puligal claimed that more than 430 Dalits have legally converted to Islam in various areas in Coimbatore as a protest against the wall collapse incident and discrimination.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/over-400-dalits-in-coimbatore-converted-to-islam-claims-outfit/article30808864.ece|title=Over 400 Dalits in Coimbatore converted to Islam, claims outfit|date=2020-02-13|work=The Hindu|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/over-400-dalits-converted-to-islam-since-caste-wall-claimed-17-lives-says-tamil-nadu-outfit-2501325.html|title=Over 400 Dalits Converted to Islam Since Collapse of 'Caste Wall' Claimed 17 Lives, Says Tamil Nadu Outfit|website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dalits-convert-islam-coimbatore-hindu-discrimination-injustice-1645564-2020-02-12|title=Over 430 Dalits convert to Islam in Coimbatore citing injustice, more conversions underway|last=Nath|first=Akshaya|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adrasakka.com/metupalayam-dalit-convert-into-islam/|title=தீண்டாமை சுவர் எதிரொலி: கோவை மேட்டுப்பாளையத்தில் 'இஸ்லாம்' மதத்திற்கு மாறிய '430' தலித்துகள்!|date=2020-02-12|website=Adrasakka|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
The [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] announced a relief of Rs 4 lakh each to the family members of the deceased from the State Disaster Relief Fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/mettupalayam-wall-collapse-owner-of-house-arrested/|title=Mettupalayam wall collapse: Owner of house arrested|last=Parthiban|first=Praveena|date=2019-12-03|website=The Federal|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|Dravida Munnetra kazhagam]] president [[M.K. Stalin|M.K Stalin]] visited the families of the deceased and said the government should give government job to a family member. He also said the disaster could have been prevented if the officials had not shown any negligence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/dec/03/government-negligence-led-to-mettupalayam-wall-collapse-deaths-dmk-chief-stalin-2071013.html|title=Government negligence led to Mettupalayam wall collapse deaths: DMK chief Stalin|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>

The [[Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi]], leader [[Thol. Thirumavalavan]] visited the village and consoled the families of the victims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/12/17022140/1204249/Book-Mettupalayam-house-owner-under-SCST-Act-demands-.vpf|title=Book Mettupalayam house owner under SC/ST Act, demands Thirumavalavan|date=2019-12-17|website=dtNext.in|language=en}}</ref> D. Ravikumar one of the leaders of the party also mentioned the incident in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/man-arrested-in-connection-with-mettupalayam-wall-collapse/article30147827.ece|title=Mettupalayam wall collapse: owner of plot held for causing deaths of 17 people|date=2019-12-03|work=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The Chief Minister of Kerala, [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] expressed his condolences and said that the government of Kerala is ready to provide any help for the families of the victims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nakkheeran.in/24-by-7-news/india/kerala-chief-minister-condolence-mettupalayam-accident|title=மேட்டுப்பாளையம் விபத்து... கேரள முதல்வர் இரங்கல்...|date=2 December 2019|website=Nakheeran}}</ref>

[[Makkal Needhi Maiam]] president [[Kamal Haasan]] said that no amount of relief can compensate for the loss and expressed his condolences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/state-news/kamal-haasan-statement-regarding-mettupalayam-incident/articleshow/72351386.cms|title=இழப்பை ஈடு செய்ய முடியாது: மேட்டுப்பாளையம் விபத்து குறித்து கமல்ஹாசன் உருக்கம்!|website=Samayam Tamil|language=ta}}</ref>

Director [[Pa. Ranjith]] said it was a discriminatory wall and accused the [[AIADMK]] government for trying to suppress the incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nakkheeran.in/24-by-7-news/politics/tamil-cinema-director-paranjith-got-angry-about-coimbatore-incident|title=அய்யோ என்ன கொடுமைடா... தீண்டாமை சுவரால் பறிபோன 17 உயிர்கள்... கொந்தளித்த இயக்குனர் பா.ரஞ்சித்!|website=nakkheeran|language=en|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref>

== See also ==

*[[1997 Melavalavu massacre]]
*[[2004 Kalapatti violence]]
*[[Uthapuram caste wall]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Dalit history, Social history of Tamil Nadu
|description=
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[[Category:Dalit history]]
[[Category:Social history of Tamil Nadu]]

2019 Mettupalayam wall collapse - Revision history

MetaBOT at 20:02, 8 July 2023