Kanchi links of interest + Understanding Dalits

Kanchipuram area and history
Wiki
Decent bio site

Background of why current situation is relevant to crusade, and location is strategic:

(excerpt) HISTORIANS relate the segregation of a section of people in Tamil Nadu as "outcastes" and "untouchables" to the process of Aryanisation of southern India. Dalit isolation grew in intensity in pace with this process. "The Aryanisation of the South was doubtless a slow process spread over several centuries. Beginning probably about 1000 B.C., it had reached its completion before the time of Katyayana, the grammarian of the 4th century B.C., who mentions the names of the Tamil countries of the extreme south." (K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India)

In his Slavery in the Tamil Country: A Historical Overview, historian S. Manickam observes: "It is difficult to say when the institution of slavery originated in the South. Perhaps the conquest of southern India by the Aryans and the consequent fusion between them and the inhabitants of the land could have been the possible cause of the birth of Caste System and the institution of slavery which is closely allied with the former."

City and seer key in history of caste system. From AICC
Understanding untouchability (Dalit oppression)

Understanding the local politics and current upheaval:
German news story with good background on controversy of nov/2004 arrest
Charge sheet outlining reason for arrest of high priest last year. (story)
case updates for those interested
Analysis of case developments and defence of Swami by reasonable Hindu apologist

I'll make more updates if i can, but I welcome more links that you feel are relevant. Post them in comments.