Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu – In a disturbing incident highlighting the plight of Dalit students, 50 Scheduled Caste (SC) girl students at a Tamil Nadu government-run Adi-Dravidar Welfare Hostel in Sivakasi have been forced to live in deplorable conditions. The hostel, situated in a private home, accommodates all 50 girls in a single hall with only two toilets, raising serious concerns about the welfare and safety of the students.

Despite the Tamil Nadu government's allocation of 80% of the SC/ST budget for Adi-Dravidar schools and hostels, the situation at this particular hostel points to severe neglect. The students, who attend the nearby Sivakasi Government Arts and Science College, have been grappling with a lack of basic amenities, including proper space and sanitary facilities. Many of the students hail from various districts such as Madurai, Theni, and Sankarankovil, and have no option but to live in these overcrowded, unsafe conditions.

The students have long complained about the hostel’s lack of space and inadequate toilet facilities. With all 50 girls sleeping in a single hall, overcrowding has caused a host of problems, from health concerns to emotional distress. Desperate to have their voices heard, the students approached the Adi-Dravidar Welfare Board Commissioner to plead for better living conditions. However, what unfolded next only added to their trauma.

The students claim that the Commissioner, instead of addressing their grievances, visited the hostel illegally at 9:30 p.m. He reportedly sent the warden out and proceeded to verbally abuse and threaten the girls. This alleged behavior has drawn sharp criticism from activists and local communities, who argue that it reflects the systemic neglect and abuse faced by Dalit students in government institutions.

In an effort to push for immediate action, the girls from the Sivakasi hostel personally submitted a petition to the Virudhunagar District Collector. They are seeking better hostel facilities, including adequate space, sanitation, and proper oversight from the Adi-Dravidar Welfare Department.

A Broader Pattern of Neglect

This shocking incident isn’t an isolated case. Last week, a young female journalist reporting on the dismal conditions at the Mylapore Boys Adi-Dravidar Hostel in Chennai was reportedly threatened by the same Commissioner. The incident raises concerns about the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts to suppress media coverage of issues affecting Dalit students.

Both the AIADMK and DMK governments have long been criticized for their failure to properly address the needs of Dalit students in welfare institutions. Under the current DMK administration, however, many had hoped for more robust measures to uplift marginalized communities. Yet the treatment of these students, especially girls, reflects a broader failure to ensure their safety, dignity, and access to proper living conditions.