A 14-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Ramu, who had been selling panipuri in Salem to fund his parents’ medical treatment, was allegedly assaulted by an elderly man, according to a video that recently went viral on social media.
The incident reportedly took place along the roadside at Thiruvagoundanur on a highway stretch in Salem, where the minor had been running a small panipuri stall. Ramu had been staying at his sister’s residence in Salem while working.
His parents, who remain in Uttar Pradesh, were said to be undergoing treatment for serious health conditions. To support their medical expenses, the boy had been selling panipuri and sending the money he earned back home.
The matter drew public attention after a video surfaced showing the child in tears describing the alleged harassment. In the footage, he claimed that an elderly man had been beating him and chasing him away, warning him not to operate a roadside stall.
சிறுவனை அடித்து மிரட்டி உள்ளார்கள்
திமுக ஆட்சியில் அராஜகம், அக்கிரமம், ரவுடிசம் தலைவிரித்து ஆடுகின்றன..!தாய் தந்தை உடல்நிலை பாதிக்கப்பட்டதால் குடும்ப சூழ்நிலைக்காக
பத்தாம் வகுப்பு படித்து தன் தாய் தந்தையை காப்பாற்றுவதற்காக வியாபாரம் செய்யும் சிறுவன் ஆதரவு தாருங்கள் நாம்… pic.twitter.com/1MlepEgZfi— K.Ashok adv (@ashok777_kalam) February 5, 2026
When questioned in the video, the boy alleged that the elderly man had been threatening and attempting to assault him on a daily basis. He further stated that others in the area, including a man and a woman, frequently picked quarrels with him. He alleged that his food items had been thrown away and that he had been pushed aside by the elderly man on the day the video was recorded.
The individual who filmed the interaction also questioned the elderly man on camera. The man responded defiantly, asking why he was being questioned and claiming that he had taken the place on contract rent and had authority over the shop space.
Following the circulation of the video, officials from the Child Welfare Department reached the spot and intervened. The minor was rescued and placed in a protection home. Authorities have initiated arrangements to ensure that he continues his education.
However, the boy’s sister expressed concern that if he stopped working, he would no longer be able to send money to support their parents’ ongoing medical treatment in Uttar Pradesh. She appealed to the government and volunteers to extend financial and humanitarian assistance to the family.
Salem Attack | பானிபூரி விற்ற உ.பி. சிறுவனுக்கு நேர்ந்த கொடுமை #salem #attack #Boy #thanthitv pic.twitter.com/i5A1Ikb56Q
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) February 8, 2026
This is one of the many instances occurring in TN that demonstrate growing hostility against fellow Indians from the north of the country/Hindi speakers. It is also believed that Dravidianist political narratives around a north-south divide are contributing to rising verbal and physical attacks against the community.
Source: Organiser
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