– Yusra Firdaus
28 Apr. 24: At Gandharvakottai town in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district, several children fell ill after drinking water that was contaminated. It was discovered that the water tank serving a Dalit (Scheduled Caste) community had been contaminated with cow feces.
The Adi Dravidar residential area in Sangam Viduthi Panchayat was supplied with potable water by a 10,000-liter overhead tank that was built in 2014. However, unknown individuals deliberately poisoned the tank.
The children who were hospitalized at Tiruvonam Government Hospital suffered from symptoms like nausea and vomiting after they unintentionally drank the contaminated water.
When the Dalit community found out that cow manure was included in their drinking water, they were horrified and furious. The incident made people worry about the underprivileged community’s safety and dignity. Local officials and Commissioner Periyasamy examined the water tank and verified the presence of cow manure. He instructed officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the occurrence and ordered the collection of water samples for testing.
The affected community was given the commissioner’s word that those responsible for the contamination would face severe consequences. To lessen the immediate situation, plans were established to provide potable water from a nearby village.
There has been a great deal of concern about the intentional contamination of the drinking water supply, and there have been calls for prompt action to find and prosecute those responsible. The event brings to light the continuous fight for equality and dignity that marginalized people in Tamil Nadu and throughout India endure.
