Chennai: A spate of honour killings in the state has become a non-issue in the Assembly elections. thanks to major Dravidian parties silence. Days after the Election Commission notified the election schedule, Shankar, a dalit youth, was murdered at Udumalpet on March 14 for marrying a Thevar community girl.
The CCTV visuals of gruesome murder was telecast on news channels. But the issue lost its relevance soon. Except for People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA), no other party referred to honour killing incidents in their election campaign as they don’t want to antagonise powerful middle castes, political observers say.
PWA not only condemned the brutal murder in the name of protecting honour, but it also promised to enact a legislation to prevent honour killings if voted to power.
Now, caste groups are turning the heat on PWA with political parties justifying their ‘honour protest’ and a section of media highlighting the caste groups version.
Vaiko, coordinator, PWA, and general secretary of MDMK, announced his decision not to contest in Kovilpatti constituency following a protest by fringe group called “Akila India Thevar Ina Makkal Kootamaipu” which opposed referring Dalit youth Shankar’s murder as honour killing.
Vaiko accused DMK of planning to incite caste clash between Thevars and Nayakars who were living peacefully for centuries as a reason for his decision.
Human rights activist G. Sugumaran said without condemning the castiest forces that protested against Vaiko for taking a stand against Shankar’s honour killing and criticising Vaiko alone for his decision to not contest the
election, is nothing but supporting castiest elements.
“Vaiko has taken a decision against contesting election fearing it may lead to caste clash. It is a good decision,” he wrote in his Facebook page.
When asked why Dravidian parties are maintaining silence on honour killing incidents, political commentator Gnani said they were more worried about non-Dalit upper caste votes.
“They don’t want to antagonise middle upper caste,” he told Deccan Chronicle.
State Platform for Common School System (SPCSS), a body of educationists and educational activists, has written to the Chief Election Commissioner urging him to issue a stern warning to political parties, groups and candidates from making any caste-based appeals to voters.
Recalling Vaiko’s statement explaining his decision to withdraw from contesting the polls, P.B. Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, SPCSS, said there was a series of “honour killings” in the state and major political parties remain silent on the issue.
