A day after Dalit youth Ilavarasan was found dead near the railway track in Dharmapuri, Dalit and Leftist outfits, which took to the streets here on Friday, demanded the arrest of PMK leader S Ramadoss under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, charging him with causing the youth’s death through caste politics.
They also demanded the arrest of Anbumani Ramadoss and a ban on Vanniyar Sangam, which they alleged was the driving force behind violence. The protesters also demanded a CBI enquiry into Ilavarasan’s death commencing from the boy’s marriage with Vanniyar girl Divya and the role played by the PMK in breaking the alliance.
In Chennai, members of various outfits, including Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam and Uyirthuligal, gathered at the intersection of Mylapore High Road and Kutchery Road at Luz Corner and attempted to stage a road roko.
They also urged the State government to provide adequate protection to inter-caste couples considering the non-conducive climate for such marriages in the State.
Since, the protesters refused to disperse from the spot despite repeated warnings by the police, they were arrested and were later released in the evening.
Apprehending untoward incidents, security was stepped up, however, protestors disrupted traffic briefly.
In another protest near the Central Railway Station, several outfits including Revolutionary Students Youth Federation (RSYF), New Democratic Labour Federation, and Women Liberation Federation participated.