A Dalit student was brutally attacked in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district by men belonging to the Thevar community while on his way to write an exam, in what his family claims was a caste-based assault.
Devendran, a Class 11 student and son of a daily wage laborer, Thanga Ganesh, was traveling to his school in Palayamkottai on Monday morning when three men intercepted the bus he was on, dragged him out, and severed fingers from his left hand, India Today reported.
His father, who attempted to protect him, was also assaulted, sustaining severe injuries, including deep wounds to his head. The attackers fled when bystanders intervened, leaving the injured father and son behind. Devendran was rushed to Srivaikundam Government Hospital before being transferred to Tirunelveli Government Hospital, where surgery was conducted to reattach his fingers.
Police have detained three minors in connection with the attack. Meanwhile, Devendran’s family claimed the violence was triggered by his performance in a recent Kabaddi match, where he played a key role in defeating an opposing team of caste Hindus.
His father, Thanga Ganesh, affirmed the caste angle in the crime. “Three men, who belonged to the Thevar community from the next village, attacked him. This is a caste-related crime. We are from the SC (Scheduled Caste) community,” he stated.
Devendran’s uncle, Suresh, also demanded justice, calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible. “For three days they were around. They need to be arrested. We are from the SC community, and nobody wants us to come up in life. He was studying well. Why do they hate us coming up in life? They were all studying in Class 11. Someone, working behind the scenes, has given them the courage to act this way,” he alleged.
