Papering over the caste violence in Tamil Nadu

The spike, in recent years, of crimes against the Dalits, especially heinous crimes, have raised concerns among activists in the Tamil Nadu. Despite having an avowed agenda to address social inequities, provide equal opportunities and work towards a casteless society, successive governments have failed to stem the tide

Nandakumar, a Dalit youth, was killed over a monetary dispute with a person from an intermediate caste at Pandaarampatti in Thoothukudi district on Friday. His relatives and villagers staged a protest on Saturday.

Papering over the caste violence in Tamil Nadu

Nandakumar, a Dalit youth, was killed over a monetary dispute with a person from an intermediate caste at Pandaarampatti in Thoothukudi district on Friday. His relatives and villagers staged a protest on Saturday. | Photo Credit: N. Rajesh

Nandakumar, a Dalit youth, was killed over a monetary dispute with a person from an intermediate caste at Pandaarampatti in Thoothukudi district on Friday. His relatives and villagers staged a protest on Saturday.

The recent spike in heinous crimes perpetrated against Dalits in Tamil Nadu, especially in the southern districts and increasingly across other parts, has shown that anti-Dalit violence and discrimination continues to be the Achilles heel of the otherwise well-intentioned Dravidian movement, a champion of social justice, rationalism, and equality in Tamil Nadu for over 100 years.

Political organisations, NGOs, and activists agree that the recent trend of crimes against the Scheduled Castes is noticeable not only due to better and improved reporting of cases, but an actual significant increase in heinous crimes against them in Tamil Nadu.

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