1991 anti-Tamil violence in Karnataka

The 1991 Anti-Tamil violence in Karnataka refers to incidents of mob violence targeting Tamils in state of Karnataka in India. The incidents took place in Southern Karnataka on 12–13 December 1991, mainly in the cities of Bangalore and Mysore. The attacks originated in the demonstrations organised against the orders of the Cauvery Water Tribunal appointed by the Government of India. The violence terrified the Tamil populace of Southern Karnataka forcing hundreds of thousands to flee in a matter of weeks. The official statistics given by the Government of Karnataka was that sixteen people had been killed in the police firing during protest but individual sources give higher numbers.[1]

Background

As of 2001, Tamil-speakers formed 3.82% of the total population of Karnataka.[2][3] Minority Tamil-speaking people are found in the districts of Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Ramanagara, Mysore, Kolar, Hassan, few in Mandya and Chamarajanagar in southern Karnataka, and few in Shimoga in central Karnataka

Until 1991, Tamils formed the single largest ethnic group in Bangalore Urban district. The 1991 census, for the first time, recorded a Kannadiga majority ahead of Tamils in the district.[4] While the Bangalore Cantonment area administered directly by the Government of British India prior to its integration with the then Mysore state, had a sizable Tamil-speaking population, they were also found in significantly large numbers in the "pētē" area of the city which was situated within Mysore proper.[5] The migrants occupied extremely diverse positions in the socioeconomic strata and represented every class, caste and community in Tamil Nadu. While there were also many who lived in abject poverty, since the early 19th century, the higher posts in the state administration had been mostly held by Tamil-speakers due to the preferential treatment by the British.[6] Gradually, this demographic and bureaucratic domination began to be resented by Kannada people who felt that the immigrant Tamils were snatching away their rightful jobs.[7]

Events

On 25 June 1991, the Kaveri Water Tribunal, constituted in 1990, directed the Karnataka state government to release 205 billion ft³ (5.8 km³) of water to Tamil Nadu within a year. Karnataka issued an ordinance to annul the tribunal's award but this was struck down by the Supreme Court of India. The tribunal's award was subsequently gazetted by the Government of India on 11 December 1991.

The very next day, Kannada chauvinist organisations led by Vatal Nagaraj called for a bandh on 13 December alleging partisan behaviour of the Government of India.[8][9] Their leaders declared

Cauvery is the mother of the Kannadigas, so we cannot give the water to anybody else.[9]

The next day, Kannada chauvinists allegedly roamed the streets of Bangalore carrying sticks, shouting slogans, beating up Tamil laborers.[9] Tamil businesses, movie theatres and even vehicles with Tamil Nadu license plates were targeted.[8] Soon the riots spread to the Mysore district and other parts of southern Karnataka.[9] Tamil-speaking villagers were driven out and their property confiscated. Over thousands of Tamils fled from the state. A curfew of one week was declared under section 144.[9][10] The violence left more than 17 ethnic Tamils dead.[8][11]

The Indian Peoples' Human Rights Tribunal puts the total property losses suffered in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at ₹ 170 million while the Venkatesh Commission has given estimates varying from ₹ 30 million to ₹ 155 million.[1]

Aftermath

The situation was soon brought under control and though, there were incidents of violence reported till the end of 1991, the situation had calmed down.[8]

There have been similar incidents of violence in 1996, 2000,[12] 2004 and 2016.

See also

Notes
  1. Nair, p 259
  2. A. R. Fatihi. "Urdu in Karnataka". Language in India, Volume 2: 2002-12-09. M. S. Thirumalai, Managing Editor, Language in India. Retrieved 29 June 2007.
  3. Almost 5 million Tamils live outside Tamil Nadu, inside India
  4. D. V. Kumar (2006). Modernisation and ethnicity: locating the Telugu community in Bangalore. Mittal Publications. p. 16. ISBN 8183241077, ISBN 9788183241076.
  5. Vagale, Uday Kumar (2004). "8: Public domain—contested spaces and lack of imageability". Bangalore—future trends in public open space usage. Case study: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bangalore (Thesis). Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. p. 49. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  6. Nair, pp 259 - 262
  7. Nair, p 235
  8. Sanjoy Hazarika (5 January 1992). "Tamils are target of riots in Southern India". The New York Times.
  9. Dutta, Madhusree; Adarkar, Neera (1996). "Challenge of Communalism". The nation, the state, and Indian identity. Popular Prakashan. pp. 105–112. ISBN 8185604096, ISBN 9788185604091.
  10. Iqbal Ahmad Ansari (1997). Communal riots: the state and law in India. Institute of Objective Studies. p. 25. ISBN 8185220441, ISBN 9788185220444.
  11. Dugger, Celia W. (18 August 2000). "Evildoer, Kidnapper, Tamils' Hero, Rolled into One". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  12. Nair, pp 234 - 235

References
  • Terje Tvedt (2006). A history of water: The world of water, Volume 3. I. B. Tauris. p. 403. ISBN 185043445X, ISBN 9781850434450.
  • Nair, Janaki (2005). The promise of the metropolis: Bangalore's twentieth century. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195667255, ISBN 9780195667257.
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