The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 31 : Conversion Threat that ended in Temple Construction
(A humble translation of the original article by Sri S.Gurumurthy, as it had appeared in Thuglak Tamil Magazine) —
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_02_06_2021.php
After our 1st meeting with the 4 members on the beach, we continued to meet them for one week. We were able to understand their inherent goodness and their love for their community. They made us understand the lack of interest shown by the police and the role of a few ruffian politicians & local rowdies. It was good to know the good people like them were there, who had wanted to meet the challenges, legally. The fight was more like between the strong & weak in terms of wielding power, authority, money, and muscle. It helped to generate more respect towards them.
How did the local fights evolve into conversion threats?
Based on faith in their details, we recorded the details about the violence there. With the aid of local politicians, the sale of illicit liquor was rampant in the locality. It led to fights between the local groups. Prohibition was in place and the sale of illicit liquor was a profitable business. It continued until the relaxation of prohibition by MGR (1982–83) who was in his second term as CM. He also made the private players participate in the legalized liquor production & sale. The real cause of the fight was hidden and shown as a caste fight. Press also played the same tune. It also became easy for the police. If illicit liquor was shown as the reason then they would have to do lots of explanation. Though both sides were fighting, the police were biased and targeted the depressed classes.
Opposed by the politicians too, the depressed people were the most affected. After seeing the Meenakashipuram incident they announced that they would also convert to Islam. This is how a simple local fight got converted to a conversion threat. It also made our visit there. We got in touch with many good people in the locality. They described the local fights between the two groups in detail, the kind of weapons that were used for the attack, and other details. We represented all of them graphically on a local map. With the help of Index Express reporters, we got in touch with the local police authorities and gathered all the (un)documented details about the violence. In the next two weeks, we were able to generate a detailed report.
Meeting with the police commission & action taken
Then, Sripal was the police commissioner of Chennai. I knew him before and briefed him about the incident. He replied that he does not want to be part of caste riots. Then, I explained to him about the real reason and that helped to change his stance. He understood the gravity of the situation. He had also warned me to maintain my anonymity. If the news of my involvement goes to the illicit liquor gang through police then I would be in trouble.
After few days, I went back with the voluminous report. On seeing the size of the report, he had asked me to reach out to a higher official in his rank. Again, I went through the complete details and shared the copies of the report.
Then the police commissioner gave the following orders to his team member:
- Within a week, verify the information in the report with the help of CID
- Know more about the locality
- Through dependable police authorities, find out the rowdies who were involved
- If the reported news about the change of a local fight to conversion threat is true then they should be booked under the goondas act for creating trouble in the society
- Do not share the involvement of Gurumurthy & team members in this case
- Make sure the affiliation of the political parties that their rowdies are part of. When we arrest the members from both sides then it will not create any problem
Still, I remember the incidents. It is our misfortune that the police have to navigate political pitfalls while dealing with such situations. After that, the police swung into action and brought the situation under control.
Conversion threat to Temple construction
We became friends with the members of the locality and started visiting each other. Our friendship grew. The housing locality had three rows of houses with a playground in the middle. The local politicians were trying to usurp the space and the locals opposed it. When the fight came to an end, the locals had asked us to finish the construction of the incompletely constructed Ganapathi temple. We were moved by that request. Since it was a secluded place located amidst the bustling town, many of us were not aware of their problems. They also participated in the Hindu religious conference in 1982. We helped in the construction of the temple and Kumbhabhishekam was performed. Our relationship continued until 1987. After that, due to my stay in Delhi, slowly, we got separated from each other. After last week’s conversation with them with the help of this magazine, they had sent me a very emotional letter.
Lesson Learnt from this incident
When the members of the society who are in a good position stay away from interaction with the common people then it leaves a big gap in terms of understanding the problems faced by them & the society. This incident helped me to understand the futility of high-flying relationships with the higher class members of society. Initially, I thought it was a privilege to have such a relationship. Later, such a relationship became a cinema-like experience. Because of the clear-cut understanding, when globalization came to India, I started touring different parts of the country to understand the gravity of the situation. It changed my economic thoughts. The whole country became my learning university. I learned more about our society from the interactions. My formal education was a barrier since it was based on the western system. It all changed for me from this episode and I wanted to thank the friends for imparting such knowledge.
PS 1 :
How does the locality like today — https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=431614407993393
PS 2 : Letter from friends
Respected Sir,
After 30 years, we were very glad to get in touch with you with the help of our common friend, Srinivasan. After hearing your voice, we were surprised, elated, and felt extreme happiness. Our dream came true, today (20-May-21). When others came to know that we are speaking to the editor of Thuglaq magazine, it drew them towards us. Some were questioning the gap in the relationship since we were moving with you at that time.
In 1982, when the riots started at pallakku maanyam , with your help, we settled them amicably and constructed a temple for Lord Ganesha. From our side, it was led by Gunasekaran. Then, this temple was destroyed by the slum clearance board chairman, Kapali. Subsequently, four people were arrested and punished in the court of law. Gunasekaran died in 2006 and many have passed away. The small temple that you had witnessed has grown into a bigger one with the help of many people. Now, it is a place for social functions too
