Dalit teen thrashed in Tamil Nadu for trying to participate in annual day celebration at alma mater
TIRUPPUR: A Dalit teen was beaten up by a group of caste Hindus for attempting to participate in the annual day celebrations at his former school at Amaravathipalayam near Tiruppur city, police said.
The victim, S Shyam Kumar (19), claimed he was mercilessly beaten up by his former schoolmate and the latter's relative near the government-aided school where had completed his class 8.
A seriously injured Shyam has been admitted to the Tiruppur Medical College Hospital.
Two persons have been booked under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and also the Indian Penal Code y the Nallur police Tiruppur city on Sunday.
The accused have been identified as one Balasubramaniam and Kumar’s former schoolmate Karthik, 25.
Kumar told TNIE that he belongs to a Scheduled Caste community (SC-A) and the assailants are caste Hindus.
“Last Friday, I took half a day’s leave and reached the school where I studied at Amaravathipalayam to attend the annual day celebrations. Balasubramaniam, a relative of Karthik, questioned my presence near the school. He used a casteist slur and kicked me when I expressed my intention to participate in the fete."
Balasubramaniam then went away and came with Karthik. He further added, "The duo started punching and kicking in my stomach, chest and neck. I cried in paid, but they paid no heed," he said.
Shyam Kumar said that the duo told him that his presence near the alma mater was uncalled for and they cannot tolerate his participation in the annual day function. "When I objected to leave the place, they threatened that people from my community shouldn’t be present in their locality or school. Later, my friends rescued me from the spot."
"I have internal injuries near my chest and back. Doctors promised speedy recovery, but I am worried about my condition after I am discharged,” he further added.
Kumar worked in a real estate promotion company for two years after failing in class 12. “My mother Saraswathi is a daily wage labourer at a garment company and my father is a farm worker,” he said.
Speaking to TNIE, Adi Tamilar Jananayaga Peravai President K Bowthan said, “There is a general hatred towards the Dalits in these areas. If a Dalit wears a good shirt or drives a bike, members of the dominant community will not spare them. Besides, most of the government-aided school have students from the dominant caste."
Bowthan pointed out that there is a delay in arresting the assailants.
"They are influential figures in the locality and hence they are still roaming free," he added.
Assistant Commissioner (Nallur Range) K Nandhini said, “We have identified the culprits and have filed an FIR against them. Since we are busy with election duty, we are yet to arrest them. They will be arrested soon.”