The Centre for Social Justice and Equity (CSJE), Madras School of Social Work, in collaboration with the Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, organized a public awareness campaign on “சமத்துவம் காண்போம் – Let’s Ensure Equality” in the title of “சமத்துவத்தின் குரல்கள்” – “Voices of Equality” on 24th April 2025
Objectives of the Campaign :
- To enhance public awareness on the importance of equality and fraternity in building a humane society.
- To highlight the extent, scope, and consequences of caste-based violence and discrimination faced by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- To foster collaboration with media professionals and civil society organizations in disseminating the ethics of equality and justice.
- To utilize cultural forms and storytelling as powerful mediums to engage with the wider public, especially the youth, in understanding and responding to social inequalities
Panel Discusiion – Media’s Role in Ensuring Equality
The campaign then transitioned into a panel discussion moderated by the Centre’s faculty. The panellists included:
- Mr. Babu Jayakumar (Senior Journalist, Deccan Chronicle)
- Mr. Ilangovan (Senior Journalist, Frontline)
- Ms. Bharathi (Reporter, Puthiya Thalaimurai)
- Mr. T.S.S. Mani (Electronic Media Specialist)
- Challenges of media bias in reporting caste-related incidents
- Underrepresentation of Dalit and tribal voices in mainstream media
- The ethical responsibility of journalists in dismantling stereotypes.
- The growing role of digital and alternative media platforms in amplifying marginalized voices.
The panellists unanimously emphasized that media must act as a catalyst for equality, not as a passive reflector of existing prejudices. Audience questions further enriched the dialogue, with young students asking how they could leverage social media platforms to highlight discrimination.
Light and Show: Stores of Change
The stage darkened, and the audience was soon captivated by the colorful projections of traditional leather puppetry, performed by Thiru. Muthuchandran, a fourth-generation puppeteer from a nomadic tribal community in Nagercoil.
In this exclusive performance, puppets narrated the story of a young Dalit student navigating the challenges of discrimination in education, only to rise as a leader advocating equality. Using puppetry as a metaphor for societal manipulation, the performance stressed how systemic oppression can be resisted with knowledge, courage, and collective strength.
The visual and auditory spectacle was both entertaining and thought-provoking, reaching younger audiences effectively while paying homage to an ancient art form. Chandran’s narration, laced with proverbs and humour, left a lasting impression on the audience, many of whom witnessed puppetry in this socially critical form for the first time.
We Stand as One
Story of Anushiya: The session began with the moving narrative of Ms. Anushiya, a Dalit woman who survived a brutal honour killing attempt. With quiet strength, she recounted how she pretended to be dead to escape her attackers after her husband Subash was murdered by his own family. Despite bearing physical and emotional scars, Anushiya has emerged as a research scholar and M.Ed graduate. Her testimony left the audience deeply moved, especially when she declared, “My wounds are my strength; they remind me that my survival is resistance.”
Story of Gana Vimala: Following this, the stage was filled with the vibrant energy of Gana Vimala, India’s first transgender Gaana singer. Interweaving her story with live music, she sang about her struggles as a Dalit trans woman, facing three-fold discrimination of caste, class, and gender. Her soulful Gaana lyrics spoke of breaking stereotypes and reclaiming public spaces through art. The crowd cheered as she concluded with a powerful line, “If you silence my story, my song will still echo in every street.
Interaction with Campaign Ambassadors
The evening concluded with an interaction with renowned film directors – Mr. Raju Murugan, Mr. Ravikumar, and Mr. GowthamRaj. Both of them spoke about how cinema can both reinforce and dismantle caste structures in society.
- Raju Murugan shared insights on the responsibility of filmmakers in choosing narratives that challenge caste-based oppression rather than normalize it.
- Ravikumar spoke of cinema’s role in shaping youth consciousness, pointing out the need for authentic representation of marginalized communities.
- GowthamRaj highlighted the potential of independent cinema in resisting commercial pressures and telling stories of the oppressed.
- Challenges of media bias in reporting caste-related incidents
- Underrepresentation of Dalit and tribal voices in mainstream media
- The ethical responsibility of journalists in dismantling stereotypes.
- The growing role of digital and alternative media platforms in amplifying marginalized voices.
The ambassadors also interacted with the audience, encouraging aspiring storytellers and filmmakers to use their craft as a tool for social transformation.