A caste Hindu man was arrested for allegedly abusing two dalit women and calling them by their caste name in a derogatory manner, at Vallanadu near here on Monday.
Police said that Mariselvam, a dalit resident of Seidhunganallur, was running a hotel on highway at Vallanadu with the help of his wife Rajeshwari (36).
On Monday, Rajeshwari and Lakshmi, a worker at the hotel, went out to attend to the call of nature when Mari, Murugan and Esakki, all caste Hindus, allegedly tried to molest them.
When the women retaliated, the trio verbally abused them by calling their caste name. Soon a heated argument ensued, in the course of which Mari allegedly slapped Rajeshwari injuring her.
Later, Rajeshwari lodged a complaint with Murappanadu Police station. Thoothukudi Rural DSP, Narayanan filed a case under section 294(b), 323, 506 (ii) of the IPC and section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Harassment of Women Act and arrested Mari.