September 18, 1976 that it is only in Mannargudi with a high rate of tension that improvement in the status of Harijans has occurred. And it is through "agrarian struggles", he finds, that the lahourers were able to "effect all-round improvement in their status", "Besides, the labourers were able to achieve fixation of the hours of work, restriction in the employment of immigrant labourers, abolition of many inhuman practices like whipping and making them drink cow-dung solution." What the law by itself could not do was accomplished by the struggles organised by the unions with a communist ideology. Lest the latter should be given undue credit, the author adds; "This, however, does not mean that agricultural lahourers can be organised only by the Communist party. Yet the remains that other political parties which are popular in Mayuram have not taken pains to do so." I "What are the implications of the above findings for policy formulation and management of agrarian unrest?", Alexander asks. Perhaps it is too naive to expect him to recommend strengthening of labour unions and sharpening of struggles although they have, in his own words "contributed to the enhancement of the status of the underdog and the emergence of egalitarian social relations'', "...there is need on the part of those in authority to view the activities of the agricultural labourers and other members of the weaker sections of the society to organise themselves and endeavour for the redressal of their grievances with understanding and sympathy, rather than treat them as challenges to the law and order machinery'' With this exhortation, Alexander is done.
