2-tumbler: Notices to tea shops

Following a survey by an NGO and subsequent communications to the authorities, the district police have issued  stringent warning to tea shops in the rural areas of Madurai district against the practice of two-tumbler system.

The notices were sent on the basis of a survey carried out by ‘Evidence’, an NGO, on discrimination against Dalits at tea shops in select villages in 13 panchayat unions. ‘Evidence’ report cited some of the worst forms of discrimination faced by Dalits at village tea shops.

At a tea shop located in Maruthangudi, Dalits were asked to leave their slippers 20 ft away from the tea shop, while at a shop in Uchchappatti, Dalits were asked to bring their own utensils, which the shop owner would not even touch.

At Chellampatti, tumblers meant for Dalits are marked with paint. At Kovilangulam, Dalits are “banned” from opening teashops, while at a shop in Sathankudi, they are forced to sit on the floor while having tea. Though the survey was conducted, only people of 149 villages came up with testimonies with regard to the practice. The copies of the survey report were sent on May 23, 2012 to the Chief Secretary, the DGP and the ADGP (Social Justice and Human rights).