As the incidents of violence against the SC community continue to surface, the pressure is mounting on the DMK government to take swift and effective action to ensure justice for the victims and to address the underlying issues contributing to these attacks. The focus is not only on bringing the perpetrators to justice but also on implementing comprehensive measures to foster a more inclusive and tolerant society in Tamil Nadu
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, L Murugan, and Tamil Nadu State BJP President K. Annamalai accused the DMK government of perpetuating discrimination against SC and ST communities despite their professed commitment to social justice.
The criticism comes in the wake of a disturbing incident where two Dalit youths were assaulted and their motorcycle snatched on the night of November 16. Upon seeking the return of their bike the next morning, they were allegedly beaten and subjected to degrading treatment, including having urine forced into their mouths. In an attempt to divert attention, the assailants falsely accused the victims of attempting to steal poultry, further complicating the investigation. The injured youths remain hospitalised, with reports suggesting mounting pressure for their premature discharge. The police have submitted a report to the National Commission for SCs and STs, but as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident involving the Gounder community.
As the uproar over this incident began to subside, a fresh case emerged in Perungudi, Madurai district, where two individuals from the Thevar community were arrested for assaulting five SC individuals, including a seven-year-old boy. The Perungudi police acted swiftly on a complaint, registering a case against R. Mari and K. Sasikumar under the Indian Penal Code and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victims, Ajithkumar, Ganapathy, and Vijayakumar, along with others from their community, were peacefully seated on a drama stage when Mari and Sasikumar, riding a bike, verbally abused and attacked them with knives, invoking caste names. The assailants also targeted Periyasamy and his seven-year-old grandson, who were passing through the area. All five victims are receiving treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai and are reported to be in stable condition.
Reacting to these disturbing incidents, TN BJP Chief Annamalai took to social media, stating, “After the DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu, it is noticeable that violence against Scheduled Castes is continuously increasing. For the sake of vote bank politics, the DMK government has been discouraging inter-communal hostility without taking action against the culprits. It is completely unacceptable that the DMK government is turning a blind eye to such incidents of crimes against SC people. Such crimes should not take place again in the state. I urge Chief Minister MK Stalin to take strict action against the criminals.”
Annamalai specifically referenced the recent attack in Madurai district, emphasising the need for immediate and decisive measures to address the rising trend of violence against SC individuals. The call for action against the perpetrators echoes the broader concern about the apparent lack of proactive measures by the state government to curb such incidents.
Minister Murugan, in a Tamil statement, declared, “Communal violence is happening repeatedly in the state as the DMK government fails to address the issue.” He highlighted the disturbing trend of caste-based violence and urged the Tamil Nadu police and Chief Minister MK Stalin to take decisive action against the perpetrators.
The recent incident near Gobichettipalayam involved the assault on two SC youths, who were allegedly urinated on after the attack. Minister Murugan underscored the urgency of identifying and apprehending the criminals responsible for such heinous acts. He emphasised the need to eradicate the prevalent violence and gun culture in Tamil Nadu, urging authorities to ensure that the culprits are promptly booked, arrested, and brought to justice.
Referring to the Perungudi incident near Thiruparankundram, where five SC members were brutally attacked with sickles, including a six-year-old boy, Minister Murugan expressed shock at the continued occurrence of violence against SC and ST individuals since the DMK assumed power in the state. He recalled a distressing incident from August, wherein a 17-year-old Dalit student and his 14-year-old sister were attacked with sickles by six minors in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district. The Minister criticized the TN government for its alleged inaction and failure to curb caste hatred, discrimination, and the proliferation of weapon culture among youth.
Minister Murugan raised concerns about the Nanguneri incident, suggesting that DMK functionaries were involved in the crime and were supporting the attackers, contributing to the government’s reluctance to take swift action. He cited incidents in Valliyoor where children were arrested for creating live bombs and in Manimurtheeswaram, where SC youths were violently attacked by upper-caste individuals after their bike and ATM cards were snatched.
Highlighting the prevalence of caste hatred and gun culture among students in southern districts, Minister Murugan criticised the DMK government for ignoring pleas from political leaders to address this dangerous trend. He accused Chief Minister Stalin, who oversees the police portfolio, of failing to identify and eradicate the weapon culture in the state. The Minister argued that the government’s inaction indirectly encourages anti-social elements to engage in caste-based hate activities, allowing communal clashes to persist.
Recalling the Erode incident where two SC men were assaulted and subjected to degrading treatment, Minister Murugan stressed the urgent need for the government to take appropriate action. He emphasized that the ongoing violence against oppressed communities instills a sense of insecurity among the people and demanded that CM Stalin and the police intervene promptly to apprehend the real culprits and ensure justice is served.
As the concerns over rising communal violence mount, the spotlight is on the DMK government to address these pressing issues and protect the vulnerable sections of society from further harm. The call for immediate action resonates with citizens who seek a safer and more inclusive environment in Tamil Nadu.
