How caste prejudices and class interests brought about the demise of a panchayat administered well by Dalit leaders in Tamil Nadu. A demonstration in front of the Collectorate in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu against the January 8 arrests at Iruvappapuram. DALIT empowerment remains a dream close to six decades after the Constitution banned untouchability and provided for affirmative action through reservation of jobs for Dalits in government service, Parliament and the State legislatures, in proportion to their share in the population. Even panchayati raj institutions constituted under the provisions of the 1993 Panchayati Raj Act, with the twin objectives of building an