The attack on Chithralekha is a clear example of how the Communist Party of India (Marxist), while raising its voice against growing intolerance in the rest of the county, has chosen to stay mum over the activities of its party workers in Kerala. The travails of the 39-year-old Dalit lady have ranged from social boycotts to attacks by local CPI (M) leadership at Payyannur in Kannur. Chitralekha, who drives an auto rickshaw in Edat, has been strong in her protests against the CPI (M) workers. Shafeeq Hudawi of Twocircles.net interviewed Chithralekha. Here are the excerpts:
Since when have you been facing threats from CPI (M)?
The threats started in 2004. When I arrived in the auto rickshaw stand controlled by the CITU (CPI (M) affiliated trade union) the auto rickshaw drivers welcomed me with caste slurs. They shouted at me “What the hell a Pulaya lady is doing in the auto stand?”
As far as I am concerned, the party leadership is targeting me mainly on two motives: I married a man from the Thiyya caste (a higher caste) and a Dalit lady dared to work as an auto rickshaw driver, that too in a locality dominated by the men from upper castes. This what the party does towards Dalits and Muslims in its strong holds in Kannur district.
My husband belongs to a family with strong roots of left parties. Two former MLAs belong to his family and some of his relatives use to work with prominent CPI (M) leaders as personal assistants.
What kind of attacks you faced from the party activists?
There is wide range of attacks starting from verbal attacks to beating me. I can’t remember how many times I was subjected to attacks. They burnt my auto rickshaw in 2005 and the seats of my vehicle were torn few days back. My husband was beaten and my relative was heckled.
First, they defaced me and my family by lowering our morale. They described me and my mother as women who drink. They stuck posters in the locality against us. The activists, who came in support for us, were also attacked and were portrayed as the ‘agents of two bad women’. Despite these assaults my husband and relatives were affirm in their steps.
How have these attacks affected your family?
My son dropped out from the school while he was studying in Class 8 at the Payyannur Government Boys High School. He was termed as the son of a lady with a questionable morale so he didn’t want to continue his studies. The boy, who is now in his 20s, is now working with a nearby mechanical workshop. My daughter, who is now studying in a technical institution, is also depressed. She rarely speaks to others.
Who all came in support of you when you faced attacks?
Several organisations, most of them functioning for the empowerment of the Dalits, lent me ardent support during my struggle. Local organisations like Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes United Forum and Dalit Morcha deserve a mention as their activists took up efforts in bringing the media attention and authorities concerned towards my woes.
In this long struggle, I owe much to Sulfath Teacher, who has been working at Cheruthazham Government School. She motivated me and convinced me the need to continue my resistance towards the upper class fascism. Sulfath Teacher was ousted from her school owing to the intervention of the party controlled management as she raised voice against the school management when a Dalit student was abused in the school.
Do you believe that your case has been paid less attention because you are a Dalit?
When I started my dharna in front of the Kannur district collectorate demanding justice and land to live, I was backed by some in the media. But, suddenly the media started to keep mum about my dharna. When activists asked them why they changed their stance, it was mentioned that the party leadership (CPI (M)) exerted pressure on them to avoid me. Falling prey to the pressure, other political parties also neglected me.
My strike in front of the secretariat was also neglected by the mainstream media. I am thankful to activist groups for circulating the issue on social media.
How have local people reacted to your stance and your works as an auto rickshaw driver?
Edat is a CPI (M) stronghold. I got no support from my neighbourhood and the local people as they all were scared of the party activists. None uttered a word when my auto rickshaw was burnt in 2015 and I was repeatedly attacked. They also were part of the social boycott as they were compelled to do. They were least concerned of my sufferings.
Are there other Dalit ladies like you in Kannur?
There are plenty of Dalit families in CPI (M) strong holds residing under threat of the party. I recently met a Dalit family at the police station. They had come to complain against the atrocities of CPI (M) towards them. I came to know that a Dalit family’s house was attacked as it defied providing land for a road to be constructed for a party village. They oppress the voices raised by the underprivileged sects. I was courageous and dared to fight against CPI (M) fascism.
Do other women work as autorickshaw drivers in your locality?
There were some of women auto rickshaw drivers belonging to underprivileged families. Jaseera, Elizabeth and Haseena worked at Pazhayangadi and nearby localities of Kannur district. While I was targeted, these ladies slowly left their jobs.
Your struggles have seen some success: you were relocated from Edat as the government gave you land and house. What’s the significance of your struggle?
I continued my fight as I was stern in my decision. Now, I am cognizant of the ways that how a Dalit woman is treated by the upper class when she starts to raise voice against its dominance. The long struggle has made me an activist. And today on wards I will continue my fight for my survival and sake of other underprivileged ladies too.