In a distressing incident in Coimbatore, Ram Kumar, a sanitation worker at the CSI Christ Church in Coimbatore, has alleged that the church administration deceived him and his wife, Murugeshwari, with false promises of permanent employment if they converted to Christianity. After converting, they were removed from their jobs, and Murugeswari reportedly faced sexual harassment from a staff member. When the couple questioned the church administration, they were allegedly abused with caste-based slurs. This mistreatment drove Murugeswari to attempt suicide, and she is now said to be undergoing treatment at the Coimbatore Government Hospital.
Murugeshwari, a resident of Coimbatore, hails from Dindigul and lives with her husband and three children. She and her husband had been working as cleaners at the CSI Christ Church, opposite the Coimbatore Government Hospital. Without prior notice, Murugeshwari was transferred, prompting her to seek clarification. Instead of addressing her concerns, the administration allegedly subjected her to caste-based abuse and harassment. When her husband Ram Kumar protested, he too was suspended.
On 3 November 2024, during a confrontation with church staff, a man named Packia Selvan allegedly insulted and attacked them using caste-based slurs. When the couple reported this to the church treasurer, Godwin, they were told to wait until the new year for potential reemployment.
The couple claims they were manipulated into converting to Christianity in 2018 under the false pretense of receiving secure permanent employment. They accuse Timothy Ravinder and others of exploiting their poverty to force the conversion. Despite repeated complaints to the Police Commissioner and District Collector, no action has been taken allege the victims.
Murugeshwari, distraught over losing her livelihood and facing continued harassment, attempted suicide. While receiving treatment at the Coimbatore Government Hospital, she recorded a video pleading with authorities to take action against those responsible and to ensure justice for her family. The video has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention to their plight.
Ram Kumar has urged the Coimbatore Superintendent of Police to intervene and arrest those involved under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In her suicide note, Murugeshwari detailed the alleged harassment and coercion she faced while working at the church, which she claimed ultimately led to her removal from the job.
She accused a staff named Jayakumar of inappropriate behavior and exploitation. She wrote, “When I was working at the church, photographer Jayakumar looked at me with wrong intentions, but I did not entertain him. He would often question why I always called my husband, saying, ‘Can’t you be without seeing him?’ He once asked, ‘If I send you to do outdoor work, will you go?’ I refused, saying that my work in the church was enough for me. He persisted, saying, ‘When I talk, everyone listens, but you don’t. If there is marriage-related work, you must stay and do it.’ I told him I couldn’t stay at night, but he insisted, saying, ‘Work without fear. We will provide everything for you, but your husband shouldn’t come to the church. You must do as we say, or we will remove you from your job.’ And like they said, they did.”
Murugeshwari further alleged in her suicide note that Jayakumar repeatedly sought inappropriate favors from her, which she consistently refused. She wrote, “He continued making such demands, but I refused each time. I warned him that if he kept speaking like this, I would inform my husband. He then threatened me, saying, ‘If you tell your husband, you will not be allowed to come to work, and neither you nor your husband and three children will be allowed to enter the church.’”
In a heartfelt video, Murugeshwari shared her distressing experience, saying, “I come from a poor background. I moved to this town in 2018 and worked at the church opposite the Government hospital for five years. In 2023, they stopped my husband from working, and in 2024, they stopped me as well. They did not answer my husband it, and when I asked, they gave no response. When we went to inquire, they threatened us with the police, so we returned home in fear. Thinking that police would harm us, we went to the commissioner’s office and petitioned a letter (complaint), but they refused to accept. They directed us to the AC, but they didn’t accept it either. We even tried submitting our (complaint) through TV ads (presumably media news), but that too was ignored. Because we come from a low-income background, we were insulted, and they stopped us from working on November 4th. As a poor family, we were tormented and forced out. I went to ask for a job for a month, but they didn’t offer anything. When I asked for the original documents I had submitted we will leave but they refused to return them and threatened us with the police. Despite going to the police, the AC, and the commissioner, I received no response. We were discriminated based on have and have nots, and they insulted us. I was afraid and didn’t know what to do. I started receiving death threats and feared they would harm us. Rajendra Kumar, Packia Selvan, Charles Kumar, and Jaya Kumar warned that they would kill my husband, children, and me if we ever entered the church again. Amirtham even said we shouldn’t be allowed to re-join. What sin have we committed? They’ve told not to hire them for work. I asked, “I live in a rented house, and where can I go with my children?” but they’ve forced us out, saying ‘get out dogs.’ “
Later, Murugeshwari spoke about a particular individual named Jaya Kumar, stating, “Jaya Kumar at many times have said many things to me like, ‘Will you come for work outside?’ and I replied, ‘I won’t go outside other than church for work.’ Then he told me, ‘Whatever work I assign to you, you must do it, and whatever I say, you must listen, or I will terminate your job.’ But I refused to comply with that as well. He then asked me to stay during the night function, and I declined that too. Finally, they told me, ‘You can work here as long as you comply, or you can leave.’ In retaliation, they removed both me and my husband from our jobs.”
Murugeshwari, in a tearful plea from her hospital bed, begged for justice, voicing her deep pain and frustration. She said, “I didn’t know what to do, so in my depression and pain, I consumed poison without thinking of my children. They are responsible for this, and I ask you to show me a way and help me get justice.”
Her note and video plea reveals the disturbing harassment and threats she endured, which ultimately led to the loss of her livelihood. She further mentioned receiving death threats and intimidation from goons, attributing the lack of police action to the negligence in addressing her complaints. Murugeswari specifically named Head Priest Rajendra Kumar, Packia Selvan, Amirtham, and Amirtha Kumar as those responsible for the mistreatment and threats she faced.
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