Tamil Nadu, a state often hailed as the land of social justice by Dravidian Stocks, recently witnessed a tragic incident where a 19-year-old girl from the Kallar community in Thanjavur, who had married a Dalit, became a victim of a devastating honor killing.
Naveen, a 19-year-old Dalit, tied the knot with his schoolmate Ishwarya on 31 December 2023, with the support of friends in Tirupur. Employed in a garment company in Tirupur and rented a house in Veerapandi in the Tirupur district.
Ishwarya’s father, Perumal, filed a missing person complaint with the Palladam police on 2 January 2024. Allegedly, when Ishwarya was summoned to the police station, she was said to be coerced to leave with her parents. Despite Naveen’s attempts to seek assistance from the police, he purportedly faced rejection, being informed falsely that Ishwarya had returned home.
Naveen later discovered that his wife had been tragically burned to death by her own family on 3 January 2023. Upon reporting the incident to the police, an investigation ensued, resulting in the arrest of the father and four other relatives implicated in this appalling act.
This honor killing underscores the persistent challenges faced by inter-caste marriages in certain communities, emphasizing the ongoing need for efforts to address such social issues in Tamil Nadu and beyond.
ஒரு 19 வயது கல்லர் சமுதாய பெண்ணை தலித்தை கல்யாணம் செய்ததற்காக கொடூரமாக எரித்து கொன்றுள்ளார்கள்!
தொடர்ந்து இதுபோல, பின்தங்கிய சமுதாயத்தினரும் (OBC+Dalits) , பெண்களும் கொடூரமாக தாக்க படுகின்றனர், ஆனால் சமூகநலம் மற்றும் மகளிர் உரிமைதுறை அமைச்சர் கீதா ஜீவன் உறங்கிக்கொண்டு… pic.twitter.com/sHkct4fBnr— Mohan Babu R (@ItsyourMB) January 9, 2024
Despite this horrific incident coming to light, there has been a muted response from the so-called champions of Dalits VCK head Thol. Thirumavalavan, who is an ally of the ruling DMK. His last social media posts have been about the protest he is spearheading against Coromondel fertilizer factory in Ennore, Chennai.
Other Dravidianist media which had debated in length on violence against women in other states have looked the other way.
Recently Reported Honour Killings In Tamilnadu
In a case of honor killing, a man reportedly murdered his mother and son allegedly due to a disagreement over his son marrying a woman from the Scheduled Caste community against his wishes in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu.
Another Honour killing in Krishnagiri #Tamilnadu.The boy's father from OBC Nadar caste attacked his son,#Dalit daughter in law and his own mother who supported the couple.The boy and the old woman has died.The girl is in serious condition.Tamilnadu is a honour killing state . pic.twitter.com/OU0vDUPVmp
— Shalin Maria Lawrence (@TheBluePen25) April 15, 2023
A 24-year-old Dalit individual, Prabhakaran, succumbed to fatal stab wounds inflicted by the father of a 17-year-old girl with whom he was romantically involved in Kumbakonam Tamil Nadu.
#Chennai In a clear case of honour killing, a 24-year-old Dalit youth, Prabhakaran was stabbed to death by the father of a 17-year-old Hindu girl, with whom the deceased was having an affair. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.#DalitLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/FMjJcxpOFS
— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) October 11, 2021
Referencing past incidents in Tamil Nadu, netizens are advocating for the enactment of a dedicated law to address honor killings.
These are photos of Victims of Honour Killing. Kindly requesting honourable Tamilnadu CM @mkstalin to bring special #LawAgainstHonourKilling pic.twitter.com/KkR4A0RiSu
— Rajkumar (@Raj_fti) December 23, 2021
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