A 14-year-old boy, Ramu, who came from Uttar Pradesh to work in a Pani puri shop, was allegedly attacked by an old man and another threw his wares on the ground.
A shocking video showing the child in tears told the camerapersons the ordeals he has been undergoing in good Tamil. He came to his sister’s home in Salem. His parents are in critical medical care conditions and can’t be offered treatment. To help cover their medical bills, he started working at a roadside paani puri shop. Where an elderly man started harassing him and used allegedly abusive words. Another woman, what he called senior citizen or thatha (grandfather) threatened him daily besides taking up quarrels .. The eatery is in Salem. Being located on a national highway, his shop attracts a large number of clients. This irked the local vendors, who saw his continuance would kill their business opportunities once and for all. An old man started issuing threats and attacking regularly. He alleged that he was pushed down on the ground. The poor boy put up with these, considering his parents’ conditions. But things went beyond the limit.
Following the video, which received good traction on social media, police rescued him and gave him treatment, besides counselling. He said that the old thatha (grandfather) threatened him, saying not to put up a stall on the roadside, and objected to his selling paani pooris. The boy has been sending money to his parents in UP to cover their medical expenses. His own sister takes care of his stay and food, besides supporting him in selling paani pooris.
Salem Attack | பானிபூரி விற்ற உ.பி. சிறுவனுக்கு நேர்ந்த கொடுமை #salem #attack #Boy #thanthitv pic.twitter.com/i5A1Ikb56Q
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) February 8, 2026
When the old man asked the media with tenacity, “Why are you asking. I would do that way. None can stop me. Go and complain to anyone. I have taken ca ontract to permit shops in the year. It is government land. How claims ownership is puzzling. Maybe a ruling party functionary, a benami or a local thug.
Upon seeing the heart-wrenching video, district child welfare officials arrived at the scene and rescued the boy. The authorities are making efforts to ensure the boy continues his education. His sister said, “ Ramu can’t send money to his parents. His sister has appealed to the government and NGOs to help his parents and his brother”.
சிறுவனை அடித்து மிரட்டி உள்ளார்கள்
திமுக ஆட்சியில் அராஜகம், அக்கிரமம், ரவுடிசம் தலைவிரித்து ஆடுகின்றன..!தாய் தந்தை உடல்நிலை பாதிக்கப்பட்டதால் குடும்ப சூழ்நிலைக்காக
பத்தாம் வகுப்பு படித்து தன் தாய் தந்தையை காப்பாற்றுவதற்காக வியாபாரம் செய்யும் சிறுவன் ஆதரவு தாருங்கள் நாம்… pic.twitter.com/1MlepEgZfi— K.Ashok adv (@ashok777_kalam) February 5, 2026
The growing bad ill against fellow Indian is not a good sign of a vibrant democracy. DMK, according to critics, following the north-south divide to further political ambitions, the rise in attacks, both verbal and physical, by political leaders and others, is causing concern. “None of the I.N.D.I.Alliance partners objected to DMK’s stance on North Indians. It would be similar to what had happened to Kashmiri pundits in 80 and what is happening to Hindus in West Bengal”, they point out. They added “ because of DMK’s north Indian utterance’s in poor taste caused heavy damage to the alliance in Bihar assembly polls last year”.
