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{{short description|Anti-Dalit violence in Ponparappi, Tamil Nadu}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2019 Ponparappi violence
| subtitle = Violence against Dalit community in Ponparappi, Tamil Nadu
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = 18 April 2019
| place = [[Ponparappi]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates =
| causes = Caste tensions, Political tensions
| goals =
| methods = [[Riot]]ing, [[assault]]
| status =
| result =
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| leadfigures1 =
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| howmany1 =
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| casualties1 =
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| fatalities =
| injuries = 18
| arrests =
| damage =*65-115 Dalit houses damaged
*25 Dalit houses completely damaged
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined =
| effect =
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}}
The '''2019 Ponparappi violence''' happened on April 18, 2019, during the polling day for the [[2019 Indian general election]] in the village of [[Ponparappi]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. The violence reportedly started as scuffles and agitations between the supporters of [[Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi]] (VCK) and the members of [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK) together with the members of [[Hindu Munnani]], which reportedly led to violence by the members of the PMK on a Dalit colony. 60 to115 Dalit houses were damaged and Dalits were assaulted.

Tensions started during the polling for the 2019 Indian general election where some members of the Hindu Munnani reportedly broke a pot which is the election symbol of the VCK and when some members of the PMK reportedly prevented an elderly Dalit person to vote in the elections. These tensions led to scuffles and stone pelting between the two parties. Later a mob of 100 people reportedly belonging to the PMK went on to attack the Dalit colony damaging Dalit owned houses, house-hold items and vehicles and assaulted Dalit people including women and children. There were also reports of sexual abuse on Dalit women.<ref name=":3" />

The Study carried out by the [[Madras Institute of Development Studies]] (MIDS) blamed the Hindu Munnani and the PMK for the Violence. MIDS also reported that the attack was "pre-planned and murderous".

== Background ==
The village of [[Ponparappi]] is situated in the [[Ariyalur district]] of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The village had over 300 families belonging to the Dalit community and 1000 families belonging to the [[Vanniyar]] caste. The Dalits also had to cross into the area of the dominant caste Vanniyars for [[Swachh Bharat Mission|Swachh Bharat]] and [[Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act]] (MGNREGA) schemes.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Attack on Dalits in Ponparappi was preconceived and murderous: MIDS study|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/may/10/attack-on-dalits-in-ponparappi-was-preconceived-and-murderous-mids-study-1974827.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

The popularity of the Hindu Munnani, a [[Hindutva]] outfit, had grown among the dominant caste Vanniyars owing to the presence of [[Christians]] among the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Caste]] population.<ref name=":0" />

=== Election violations ===
Frequent violent incidents, repeated casting of votes, mass deletion of names of voters and such were recorded on polling day from several parts of the State. In the [[Dharmapuri (Lok Sabha constituency)|Dharmapuri lok sabha constituency]]'s Nathamedu village in [[Pappireddipatti]], men reportedly belong to the PMK were seen casting fraudulent votes. A security officer of the CISF at Keezhvisharam in [[Vellore]] fired shots in the air to break two different groups of party members engaging in fist fights.<ref name=":1" />

== Tensions ==
Tensions reportedly began when some people belonging to VCK tried to prevent an elderly person to vote, the person voted with the help of the police and when members of the Hindu Munnani shattered an earthen pot under alcoholic influence at the front of the panchyat office where the polling took place for the [[2019 Indian general election]]. The earthen pot was the election symbol of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. MIDS blamed PMK that it spread a rumor that a Dalit youth assaulted a disabled Vanniyar man, who used to sell alcohol in the region.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-05-10|title=Fact-finding team blames PMK for Ponparappi violence|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/05/10025102/1117620/Factfinding-team-blames-PMK-for-Ponparappi-violence.vpf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122111458/https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/05/10025102/1117620/Factfinding-team-blames-PMK-for-Ponparappi-violence.vpf |archive-date=2021-11-22 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=dtNext.in|language=en}}</ref> The animosity between the two parties intensified, leading to scuffles, stone pelting and damaging of the VCK party flag on the road side.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=2019-04-25|title=Simmering animosity led to attack on SCs in Ponparappi: fact finding team|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/simmering-animosity-led-to-attack-on-scs-in-ponparappi-fact-finding-team/article26943497.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="newindianexpress.com">{{Cite web|title=Police security beefed up in Ponparappi, but Dalits fear escalation of tension|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/apr/20/police-security-beefed-up-in-ponparappi-but-dalits-fear-escalation-of-tension-1966643.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Rajasekaran|first=Ilangovan|date=|title=Dalits in Tamil Nadu village attacked for voting in election|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/incoming/article26899140.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813074655/https://frontline.thehindu.com/incoming/article26899140.ece |archive-date=2020-08-13 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=Frontline - The Hindu|language=en}}</ref>

== Attacks ==
The attacks started in April 2018 when a mob of about 100 dominant caste members, reportedly belonging the PMK party, an ally of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), entered the Dalit colony on the polling day of the 2019 Indian general election and went on a rampage attacking the Dalits including the children and women and damaging motor bikes.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jaisankar|first=C.|date=2019-04-23|title=Violence-hit Ponparappi limps back to normality|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/violence-hit-ponparappi-limps-back-to-normality/article26915825.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-19|title=20 Dalit Homes Allegedly Attacked by PMK Workers in Ariyalur|url=https://www.newsclick.in/20-dalit-homes-allegedly-attacked-pmk-workers-ariyalur|access-date=2020-09-06|website=NewsClick|language=en}}</ref> The violence lasted for an hour and left 2 Vanniyars and 16 Dalits injured. Nearly 65 houses and 12 two-wheelers were reportedly damaged as per initial reports.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ravishankar|first=Sandhya|title=How WhatsApp Facilitated Serial Caste Clashes In Tamil Nadu|url=https://www.thelede.in/society/2019/05/06/how-whatsapp-facilitated-serial-caste-clashes-in-tamil-nadu|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Lede|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Police arrest 9 men for circulating offensive audio related to Ponparappi violence|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/police-arrest-9-men-circulating-offensive-audio-related-ponparappi-violence-100596|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424092156/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/police-arrest-9-men-circulating-offensive-audio-related-ponparappi-violence-100596 |archive-date=2019-04-24 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=The News Minute}}</ref>

Over 100 people had abstained from voting as a result of the attack, though some Dalit students who graduated classes 10th and 12th did not go to get their certificates since their schools were located in the Vanniyar region.<ref name=":2" />

=== Investigations ===
The [[Madras Institute of Development Studies|Madras Institute of Developmental Studies]] (MIDS) carried out a study on April 25 which reported that the PMK and the Hindu Munnani were responsible for the attacks. The team also reported that the Dalit women were pulled out of their homes, and were verbally and sexually abused by the assailants. While women pleaded them to leave, the assailants proceeded to abuse the women.<ref name=":3" /> The team also termed the violence as "preconceived and murderous".<ref name=":2" />

Evidence, a rights organization based in [[Madurai]], which conducted an evaluation on the spot and reported that 115 houses had been damaged and 25 among them were completely damaged, 13 people were hospitalized and many sustained injuries to the head. The organization reported that the attackers have used [[Pejorative|derogatory]] language against women and victims. The founder of the organization, Kathir reported that the residents of the Dalit colony voted overwhelmingly for the VCK, which angered the PMK and led to the violence.<ref name=":1" /> The organization also requested to call the [[National Human Rights Commission of India]] (NHRC) instead of allowing the police to investigate the violence.<ref>{{Cite web|last=TNN|first=|date=|title=Call for NHRC probe into poll day violence against dalits {{!}} Trichy News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/call-for-nhrc-probe-into-poll-day-violence-against-dalits/articleshow/69436411.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117134822/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/call-for-nhrc-probe-into-poll-day-violence-against-dalits/articleshow/69436411.cms |archive-date=2020-01-17 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

== Arrests ==
25 cases were filed against the members of the Hindu Munnani and the PMK by the police which included a member of the Hindu Munnani who was also accused in the [[2016 Ariyalur gang rape case]]. The police also filed 24 cases against the Dalits as counter FIR's to force them to come into terms.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Jaisankar|first=C.|date=2019-04-21|title=12 held for attack on Dalits in Ponparappi|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/12-held-for-attack-on-dalits-in-ponparappi/article26901156.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Venkatesh|first=M. R.|date=2019-04-22|title=Post-poll scene in Tamil Nadu, a mirror to recurring caste-based violence|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/220419/post-poll-scene-in-tamil-nadu-a-mirror-to-recurring-caste-based-viole.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>

After the violence 9 men belonging to the VCK were also arrested for circulating offensive audio related to the violence.<ref name=":5" />

== Political reactions ==
The fact-finding team of the Tamil Nadu state unit of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] SC and ST cell reported that the police officers stayed as a silent spectator as of the dominant caste group targeted Dalits and their properties.<ref>{{Cite web|last=TNN|first=|date=Apr 25, 2019|title=Police were mute witness to Ponparappi incident: Congress {{!}} Trichy News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/police-were-mute-witness-to-ponparappi-incident-cong/articleshow/69033171.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023004402/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/police-were-mute-witness-to-ponparappi-incident-cong/articleshow/69033171.cms |archive-date=2019-10-23 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> They also claimed that the PMK and the Hindu Munnani were responsible for the violence.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=2019-04-24|title=Congress fact-finding team blames PMK for Ponparappi clash|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/congress-fact-finding-team-blames-pmk-for-ponparappi-clash/article26926227.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The Party's general secretary [[K. Jeyakumar]], said that violence happens only in the areas where the PMK is in the majority.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''பாமகவினர் அதிகம் உள்ள இடங்களில்தான் வன்முறை நடக்கிறது'' - கே.ஜெயக்குமார் காட்டம்!!|url=https://www.ndtv.com/tamil/violence-happening-where-large-number-of-pmk-party-workers-after-visit-ponparappi-village-tn-congres-2026106|access-date=2020-09-06|website=NDTV.com|language=ta}}</ref>

The [[Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam|Amma Makkal Munnetra kazhagam]] (AMMK) general secretary [[TTV Dhinakaran|TTV Dinakaran]] also blamed the police for failing to prevent the attack.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-04-21|title=Cong, CPM, TTV blame police for Ariyalur violence|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/04/21033944/1115046/Cong-CPM-TTV-blame-police-for-Ariyalur-violence.vpf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023349/https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/04/21033944/1115046/Cong-CPM-TTV-blame-police-for-Ariyalur-violence.vpf |archive-date=2020-11-12 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=dtNext.in|language=en}}</ref>

The PMK asserted that the conflict on the day of polling was staged by the VCK to frame the PMK.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-04-24|title=VCK fearing defeat blaming us, says PMK|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/04/24035510/1115458/VCK-fearing-defeat-blaming-us-says-PMK.vpf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927092708/https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/04/24035510/1115458/VCK-fearing-defeat-blaming-us-says-PMK.vpf |archive-date=2021-09-27 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=dtNext.in|language=en}}</ref>

[[M. K. Stalin|M K Stalin]], the president of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam]] condemned the violence and also urged the Chief Electoral Officer and DGP for Election to take measures to develop the people into fraternity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MK Stalin condemns attack, other incidents on election day|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/apr/20/stalin-condemns-attack-other-incidents-on-election-day-1966642.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=வீடுகளை உடைக்கும் பழக்கத்திற்கு மீண்டும் தூபம்-பொன்பரப்பி சம்பவத்திற்கு ஸ்டாலின் கண்டனம்|url=https://www.kalaignarseithigal.com/m-k-stalin/2019/04/19/mkstalin-condemns-violence-against-dalits-in-ariyalur-district-ponparappi|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Kalaignar Seithigal}}</ref>

[[Thol. Thirumavalavan|Thol Thirumavalavan]], the leader of the VCK blamed the PMK and the Hindu Munnani for the violence and also said that the AIADMK and BJP have unleashed violence in various places for fear of losing the elections in Tamil Nadu. In particular, the PMK is inciting caste-based violence to win the polls.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hemavandhana|first=|date=2019-04-19|title=பாமக போல சாதி கட்சிகள் இருந்தால் சமூக ஒற்றுமை எப்படி ஏற்படும்.. திருமா கேள்வி|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/thanjavur/thirumavalavan-says-about-ponparappi-violence-347434.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419110256/https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/thanjavur/thirumavalavan-says-about-ponparappi-violence-347434.html |archive-date=2019-04-19 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=OneIndia|language=ta}}</ref> He also stated that he would seek for a re-poll and said that 150 homes were damaged during the violence.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kolappan|first=B.|date=2019-04-22|title=It is my duty to liberate Vanniyars from PMK’s clutches: VCK leader|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/it-is-my-duty-to-liberate-vanniyars-from-pmks-clutches-vck-leader/article26906273.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="newindianexpress.com"/> He also said that the police remained as a mute spectators.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mariappan|first=Julie|date=|title=Why didn't police fire in air to drive away rampaging mob: VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/why-didnt-police-fire-in-air-to-drive-away-rampaging-mob-vck-chief-thol-thirumavalavan/articleshow/68974658.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205190304/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/why-didnt-police-fire-in-air-to-drive-away-rampaging-mob-vck-chief-thol-thirumavalavan/articleshow/68974658.cms |archive-date=2019-12-05 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

[[Vaiko]] of the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] condemned the violence and also blamed the police for failing to stop the violence.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-20|title=பொன்பரப்பி வன்முறை சம்பவம்: டாக்டர் ராமதாஸ், வைகோ கண்டனம்|url=http://www.dailythanthi.com/News/State/2019/04/20025412/The-Ponparappi-violence-incident-Dr-Ramadoss-Vaiko.vpf|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Dailythanthi.com}}</ref>

[[Kamal Haasan]] compared the violence with his delayed drama ''[[Marudhanayagam]]'' which talks about caste violence 300 years ago.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-21|title=Kamal Haasan tweet points to shameful caste violence|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/210419/kamal-haasan-tweet-points-to-shameful-caste-violence.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref> He also said that the violence is a shame to the entire Tamil race.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Veerakumar|first=|date=2019-04-20|title=பொன்பரப்பி சம்பவங்கள், தமிழ் இனத்திற்கே பெரும் அவமானம்.. கமல்ஹாசன் கடும் கோபம்|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/chennai/kamal-haasan-condemn-ponparappi-violence-347513.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421174820/https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/chennai/kamal-haasan-condemn-ponparappi-violence-347513.html |archive-date=2019-04-21 |access-date=2020-09-06|website=OneIndia|language=ta}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[2004 Kalapatti violence]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://frontline.thehindu.com/incoming/article26899140.ece Dalits in Tamil Nadu village attacked for voting in election - Frontline The Hindu]

{{Riots in India}}

[[Category:Ariyalur district]]
[[Category:Crime in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:2010s in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Social history of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Caste-related violence in India]]
[[Category:Violence against Dalits in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:April 2019 in India]]

2019 Ponparappi violence - Revision history

MDPOliva97 at 00:19, 26 October 2025