Dalit youth murder: Action sought against anti-Dalit outfits

Coimbatore: An outfit of backward Thevar caste here has alleged the recent suspected honour killing of a Dalit youth in neighbouring Tirupur district was being used by certain parties to tarnish the image of the community and urged police to rein such elements. [caption id=“attachment_2695630” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] In a memorandum to police, more than 100 members belonging to the Thevar community alleged that “the issue between two families” was being used to take political advantage by VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, Puthiya Tamizhakam leader K Krishnasamy and another Dalit outfit leader John Pandian, through public meetings. Besides, they were using abusive language against the community which was “unwarranted”, said the two-page memorandum submitted by the “Thevar Samudayam.” Accusing the police of remaining a mute spectator during such public meetings, it urged them to ensure that such denigrating remarks were not made against the caste. It also warned of state-wide agitations, if political leaders attempted to give caste colour to such issues. Shankar was hacked to death on 13 March by a four-member gang at a bus stand in Udumalpet while his wife Kausalya, a Caste Hindu girl, escaped with injuries. The attack, allegedly carried out at the behest of her father, was suspected to be a honour killing and has drawn widespread condemnation. PTI