News Tamil Nadu

Nanguneri Horror: One Perpetrator Is Close Relative Of DMK Functionary But Pa. Ranjith Makes No Mention Of It, D Stock ‘Activist’ Blames Hindu Religion

August 12, 2023
The Commune

A horrifying incident unfolded in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district, as a Class 12 Scheduled Caste student, Chinnadurai, aged 17, and his younger sister, aged 14, were viciously attacked with sickles within the confines of their home on Wednesday (9 August 2023) night. The assault, carried out by three of Chinnadurai’s schoolmates, comes just hours after he had lodged a complaint against them with the school headmaster, detailing their persistent harassment. The assailants, who belonged to a dominant caste, have since been apprehended by the police and are facing charges under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Reports indicate that Chinnadurai, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, had been subjected to caste-based harassment at the government-aided school in Valliyoor. The perpetrators, belonging to the Maravar community, reportedly subjected him to humiliation, coercing him to procure cigarettes and snacks for them and subjecting him to bullying. The situation escalated to such an extent that Chinnadurai felt compelled to share his torment with his parents and even stopped attending school a week before the horrifying attack.

The school administration did summon Chinnadurai and his parents for a meeting, during which the young victim communicated the psychological agony he was enduring due to the harassers. While the school authorities warned the harassers and urged the victim to resume his studies, events took a sinister turn on Wednesday when the gang confronted Chinnadurai within the school premises, warning him of dire consequences for having reported them.

Later that night, around 10:30 pm, the six accused students reportedly reached the victim’s residence, wielding sickles, and launched a brutal assault. In an attempt to shield her brother, Chinnadurai’s sister also suffered injuries. Their cries for help alerted neighbors who rushed to their aid, prompting the assailants to flee. Both siblings were taken to Nanguneri government hospital with severe bleeding wounds and were subsequently transferred to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.

Criticism arose over the delayed response by Nanguneri police to the crime scene, leading to the victim’s relatives staging a road blockade. Tragically, during negotiations between the police and the family, a 60-year-old relative collapsed and passed away on the road.

In this situation, all six school students were apprehended by police under Sections of IPC & SC/ST (PoA) Act. They were sent to observation home.

The incident also stirred controversy, with Dalit activist ‘Evidence’ Kathir and the mainstream news portal Malaimurasu alleging political affiliations of the accused’s parents, implicating them in obstructing the investigation. They said that the accused’s parents belonged to DMK and Vaiko’s MDMK.

It has been reported that one of the perpetrators is the nephew of DMK West Union Secretary named Sudalaikannu. It is said that he is using his political clout to save his nephew from enduring the due process of law.

However, film director Pa. Ranjith who has been called out for peddling DMK propaganda in his movies, did not even mention this fact in his social media post.

Instead he brushed it off under the carpet saying “Let us understand the true situation of how caste consciousness is being developed as hatred against Scheduled Caste people in Tamil Nadu. Let DMK government, all political parties, movements and people of Tamil Nadu unite against such caste atrocities and eradicate the caste which is devouring the next generation.”

G Sundarrajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal, a Dravidian Stock and self-proclaimed activist who is also known for being DMK propagandist blamed the Hindu religion without calling out the political affiliation of the perpetrators.

He said “It’s shocking that students from a community that experienced such brutality 100 years ago have done this. This is proof of what Sanatanam (Hindu religion) can do when it takes over a caste.”

Many on social media called out the way in which mainstream media and so-called activists have been handling the issue.

One netizen said “Even though one of the main culprits is the relative of a DMK union secretary, people may ask – isn’t it shameful to give Santanam RSS spin as if you guys have nothing to do with it?”

BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary SG Suryah said “DMK has emerged as the total image of family politics and abuse of power which we have been talking about from time to time… If there was a BJP or ADMK politician in the same place, Tamil Nadu journalists and wolves pretending to be neutral would be blowing up this issue 24*7 for political gain. But since DMK politician, Nanguneri West Union Secretary Sudalaikannu is concerned, they are forced to keep their mouths shut. Even people like Pa. Ranjith are afraid to directly condemn the erring DMK executive. If your “outrage” is based on the political affiliation of the criminals then you are inhumane animals who do not deserve to live.”

“Sundararajan the founder of Poovulagin Nanbargal, goes a step further and unabashedly speaks as the DMK’s mouthpiece that Sanathanam (Hindu religion) is responsible for this incident. What is this?”, SG Suryah said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi expressed solidarity with the victims, assuring the public of prompt and stringent action. Minister Anbil Mahesh also extended a promise to sponsor Chinnadurai’s education.

(With inputs from Malaimurasu)

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