Members of the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) petitioned the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner on Tuesday seeking stringent action against caste Hindus who have lauded and extended their support on the social media to the caste-related murder of Dalit youth V. Shankar of Udumalpet and attack on his caste Hindu wife.
TPDK city unit joint secretary S. Manikandan said that in less than a day after the brutal murder of Shankar in public at the Udumalpet Bus Stand, social media (especially Facebook) was flooded with posts by persons who argued that such killings could put an end to inter-caste marriages.
TPDK general secretary K. Ramakrishnan said that such statements were wounding and added fuel to the fire. “Caste Hindus were earlier criticising Dalits in the social media. They are now directly threatening them” he added.
The organisation also submitted photocopies of some of those posts by Caste Hindu leaders and youth, in the social media.
They said that the police who arrest persons for criticising political leaders in the social media should initiate such action against persons trying to spread hatred among communities.
City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj said that he would verify the claims made in the petition and initiate appropriate legal action. Copies of the petitions were also sent to the Coimbatore District Collector and to the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu.
Protests
A group of persons staged a demonstration in front of the Government Arts College in Coimbatore on Tuesday seeking enactment of legislation to end “honour” killings in the name of castes and demanding stringent action against offenders.
Protection sought
They also sought protection for Kausalya, who is in hospital, and aid to help her complete her education.
