Police help burry Tamil Nadu Dalit woman’s body after upper caste villagers deny passage

Police personnel helped carry a Dalit woman’s body for burial after upper-caste villagers denied passage to her relatives in Tamil Nadu.

Pramod Madhav

Police personnel helped carry a Dalit woman’s body for burial after upper caste villagers refused passage to her ancestral village and buried it with security in Tamil Nadu’s Shoolagiri village.

The incident took place on Friday when 85-year-old Lakshumamma, wife of Kathirapa, died and her relatives attempted to take her body through Krishnampalayam village to be buried in their ancestral village.

However, their journey was marred by an act of discrimination as dominant upper-caste Hindus reportedly obstructed their passage when they reached Krishnampalayam village.

Adding to their anguish, the original path to the burial site had allegedly been encroached upon, intensifying the emotions of the grieving family.

The furious relatives of Lakshumamma placed the body on the Shoolagiri highway, causing a major stir and traffic halt.

A police team headed by SP Saroj Kumar Thakur and Thahsildar Panneerselvi reached the spot.

However, as negotiations failed to yield results, the police took a remarkable step to ensure the deceased woman received a dignified burial. With utmost respect and sensitivity, the police team undertook the responsibility of carrying Lakshumamma’s body for nearly 2 kilometers.

Lakshumamma’s body was buried in the evening.

Courtesy : India Today

Note: This news piece was originally published in indiatoday.com and used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights