Caste-based discrimination alleged at Coimbatore village tea shop

A tea shop in a village in Coimbatore has been accused of caste-based discrimination, with Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) persons allegedly barred from entering the premises and made to sit outside.

The shop in question, Sri Baladhandayudhapani Tea Stall at Nadhagoundenpudur near Alandurai, is reported to follow a segregated system of serving beverages, giving tea to SC/ST persons in disposable cups while others are served in steel or glass tumblers.

The incident surfaced following the circulation of a video recorded by an SC man on December 6, 2025, and later shared on social media by Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) Coimbatore urban secretary N.V. Nirmal Kumar.

Speaking to The Hindu on condition of anonymity, the man who recorded the video said the shop had been functioning for over two years and that the practice had continued from the time it opened. He said SC/ST persons were made to sit outside and served in separate cups, and that no objections had been raised earlier. He added that he did not file a formal complaint as he believed raising the issue could invite political pressure and that official intervention would not bring change.

Mr. Kumar said DVK had conducted a survey across Coimbatore district and documented similar discriminatory practices in 92 villages spread across nine unions. These included the two-tumbler system in tea shops, denial of haircut services to SC persons, and restrictions on access to common burial grounds.

According to DVK, the two-tumbler system was also found to be in practice at tea shops in Kondampatti, Mottuvavi, Periyakalanthai and Andipalayam in Kinathukadavu Union, and in Tholampalayam Pudur in Karamadai Union, where SC persons were served tea in plastic cups, while others were given glass or steel tumblers.

Mr. Kumar said a petition detailing these findings had been submitted to the district administration a year ago, but no action had been taken.

Responding to the allegations, Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar said police and revenue department officials would be instructed to take action on receipt of such complaints.