The Southern India Buddhist Vihar re-opened in Perambur after renovations in January this year, going from a 1-storey to a 4-storey structure in Perambur, Tamil Nadu to celebrations, offerings, and prayers by Buddhist monks from 40 different countries.
However, a few weeks ago, two men entered the building during worship hours while people were chanting and announced themselves as members of Chennai City Corporation. They loudly claimed that the vihara had been “occupying” land that wasn’t their own. “They barged in and began measuring the walls and the floors and things with measuring bars right during our prayers! ” recalls La. Jayabalan, a congregant, “If this was a Hindu temple, would they have dared to do something like that? Would they have barged in and interrupted a pooja? ” He expresses deep anger and anguish over the way that his faith and practice is being disrespected.
The members assert that the vihara was not “occupied” as the two officials claimed. “The Southern India Buddhist Association first began in the 1800s under Ayothidasar, a Tamil Buddhist revivalist. It was an initiative of faith run and sustained largely by Dalits in the Perambur area. It is said that one ‘Sakya family’ who are related to K.Armstrong, who is currently serving as Tamil Nadu’s BSP state president, first donated 31204 sq ft. of land in Perambur.” says a Vihara member, G. Meena.
Dr.Ambedkar does mention this vihara in Dr.Ambedkar Speeches and Writings, Vol 17, Part III. The vihara also has long established rules and bylaws for the membership, the second edition of which was published as early as 1954. This is the same copy currently being used.
It remains a vibrant part of the Perambur community but recently has begun seeing attacks.
“If we are occupying this place, shouldn’t the complaint be filed by another disputing local owner, a neighbour, or another community member? Why is the complainant the Commissioner of Police? What does he know about this neighbourhood and its history? What is his interest in filing this particular complaint? ” asks Sarada Devi, another local member.
After countering the two men from the corporation, the members were able to raise enough voice and show enough strength to prevent them from taking further action. They sent them off with a copy of Dr.Ambedkar’s Writings and Speeches Volume 17, Part 3. “Here, take this. This is published by your government. Read what it says. Babasaheb mentions that he visited this Vihara in 1954. In fact, he stayed here from 6th July 1954 to 14th July 1954. And we are much older than that as well!” G.Meena says she told them.
Since the incident with these two men, several cases and legal orders have been filed. Several more government officials have been harassing them. State authorities have sent a letter saying that the vihara could be destroyed at any time.
The problem appears to be that the vihara is largely a Dalit Buddhist initiative. The Vihara serves not just as a centre for practice and meditation but also a political hub and a Dalit organising hub. The second floor hosts an “Anitha Intellectual Center” – a whole floor that memorializes the passing away of the brilliant young Dalit girl S.Anitha in 2017. Here students study and prepare for exams. The floor above it serves as a monastery and houses Buddhist bhikkhus or monks.
Many Dalit community members hold meetings and events in this space. Crucially, this vihara also performs “conversions” of Dalit community members to Buddhism officially.
Members feel this is the real reason for the harassment and not anything else. People seem uneasy and on edge even as they go about their activities routinely.
K.Armstrong, Tamil Nadu BSP leader states – ” They can demolish our vihara if they want, but let them know that if they do, every single Dalit home in this area will sprout up as its own vihara!”
The author is a contributor to TwoCircles.net from Tamil Nadu.
Courtesy: Two Circles