Hindu-Muslim Riot

Hindu Muslim riots.

It was the month of Ramzan (1930). During this month Mohammedans fast during the day and eat after dusk. At the end of the month a procession is taken out in honour of their prophets Hassan and Hussein. The Immersion was to be at Palar, procession proceeding along Katpadi Road.

On Katpadi Road near the North end of the town was Drowpadiamman Koil famous for Non-Brahmans. The trustees of the amman koil wanted that the processionists stop music 100 yards before and resume 100 yards after the koil front door as a mark of respect. The Muslim leaders were not agreeable. Government officers tried their best but no agreement was apparently reached.

Next day the processionists did not stop the music in front of the koil and to add fuel to fire, it was allged that a processionist threw his chappal at the koil. Enraged at this disrespectful behaviour a member of the Koil trustees slapped the offender who reeled and fell dead on the spot.

Both sides clashed and it was free for all. The Muslims used their staff poles, swords and spears they carry in the procession for attacking the Hindus.

The Hindus were not prepared for the surprise attack. Hindus, males, females and children ran halter skelter and were badly beaten and hurt. Before night fall it was reported that 10/12 people had died. The police took no preventive measures.

It was alleged that the police inspector, Subbaiyyah, had colluded with Muslim leaders and promised all support in the hope he will get a promotion for precipitating clashes between Hindus and Muslims, which the British, then in power, wanted such troubles fomented in their policy of 'Devide and Rule'.

As fighting and killing continued, Muslims having the upper hand, police turning Nelson's eye, Hindus took a defensive position and remained indoors. The rampage continued for three days by when over 30 Hindus had been killed. On the third day evening one of the boys of Velappadi, the Southern part of the town returned home badly beaten and collapsed on the steps of his house. The boys brother was aroused and shouting like a lion called at the neighbours to avenge.

That was the clarion call the enraged Hindus were waiting for and very soon a motley crowd had gathered with sticks and ballems in their hands to avenge their fallen brothers. The crowd marched North. On their way as they passed our house they called out to us to join. My aunt pleaded that we were too young for such activity and offered any other assistance. They asked for sticks and my aunt asked them to take as many as they needed from the shed.

As they marched Northward the crowd swelled and their very size was frightening. They attacked only able bodied Muslims and it was turn of the Muslims to run and stay indoors. The Hindus took steps to ensure no Muslim left the town and word that Muslims were at the mercy of Hindus did not reach outside particularly Arcot and Wallajah Road, both Muslim towns. The Hindus were roaming the streets looking for their prey. Before they had their fill collector vellodi returned to town and clamped total curfew. He requisitioned three Mapla regiments who arrived the next day. Shoot at sight orders were given and order was restored in a couple of days. During the curfew and shoot at sight orders, we would hear gunshots now and then in the nights.

So ended the riots after a full week of killing.

The tragedy of it all was that Subhaiyyah became mad after finding his wife raped and breasts chopped off when he returned home the first night after starting the trouble.