Winning Kabaddi Match Rubs Caste Hindus the Wrong Way—Dalit Student Brutally Beaten in TN’s Thoothukudi Village

 Winning Kabaddi Match Rubs Caste Hindus the Wrong Way—Dalit Student Brutally Beaten in TN’s Thoothukudi Village

The boy who hails from the SC Paraiyar community, was on his way to school to write his 11th-grade board exams when this horrific attack took place.

Thoothukudi – In a shocking incident of caste-based violence, an 11th-grade student, Devendra Raj, from Ariyanayakapuram village near Thiruvaikundam in Thoothukudi district, was brutally attacked by a group of caste fanatics. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for immediate action to curb caste-based atrocities in the region.

The attack occurred on March 10, when Devendra Raj, a student from Ariyanayakapuram, was on his way to school to take an exam. According to reports, three men from Kettyammalpuram village stopped the bus, forcibly removed Devendra Raj, and launched a vicious assault on him. The attackers allegedly targeted Devendra Raj due to caste-based animosity stemming from a recent Kabaddi match victory.

A few days prior to the attack, the Ariyanayakapuram team, of which Devendra Raj was a member, had won a Kabaddi match against the Kettyammalpuram team in Kattarimangalam. The victory celebration, which included lifting the trophy, reportedly incited anger among some individuals from the opposing village, leading to the brutal attack.

The attack left Devendra Raj with severe injuries. Both of his hands were mutilated, with four fingers severed. While three fingers were recovered and reattachment surgery is underway, one finger remains missing. The assailants also inflicted six deep cuts on his head, causing damage to his skull. Additionally, his back sustained multiple cut wounds. Devendra Raj is currently in critical condition and undergoing treatment at the Tirunelveli Government Hospital.

Outrage and Condemnation

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, with many expressing solidarity with Devendra Raj and his family. Social media platforms are flooded with messages demanding justice for the student and an end to caste-based violence. Activists and civil society groups have called for protests and rallies to pressure the government into taking concrete action.

Author and Dalit rights activist Shalin Maria Lawrence expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, “Devendra Raj’s father works as a brick kiln labourer, and the family is struggling with extreme poverty. The boy was on his way to school to write his 11th-grade board exams when this horrific attack took place.” She urged the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to ensure that Devendra Raj is promoted to the 12th grade without having to appear for exams and that the family receives adequate compensation at the earliest.

However, she emphasized that the immediate priority is to pray for the boy’s recovery, as he remains in a critical condition. “Before anything else, we must hope and pray that he crosses this critical stage. His condition is still very serious,” she added.

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi – VCK supporters have strongly condemned the attack. In a statement, VCK founder-president and Member of Parliament, Thol. Thirumavalavan, expressed outrage over the incident and demanded immediate action from the Tamil Nadu government to address the rising cases of caste-based violence in the southern districts, particularly in Thoothukudi and Nellai.

Thirumavalavan emphasized the need for the government to establish a dedicated intelligence unit within the police force to prevent and investigate caste-based atrocities. He also called for enhanced medical care for Devendra Raj, urging the government to ensure that the student receives the best possible treatment.

The incident has reignited concerns over the persistence of caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu. Thirumavalavan and other activists have repeatedly urged the state government to take stringent measures to curb such attacks. They argue that the lack of effective intervention has allowed caste fanatics to continue perpetrating violence with impunity.

The VCK leader stressed that the government must not only address individual cases but also implement systemic changes to dismantle caste-based discrimination and violence. This includes creating awareness, strengthening law enforcement, and ensuring swift justice for victims.

Courtesy: The Mooknayak

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