Chennai: Demanding strict action against those responsible for the honour killing at Udumalpet on Sunday, People’s Welfare Alliance leaders have said those who inject venom in the minds of people on the basis of caste are the worst enemies of society.
“It is very shocking that the land of social justice and Periyar is standing out to be the land of honour killings. I am ashamed of it. Social awareness must be injected in people’s minds. Those who are whipping up flames of casteism, injecting venom and poison in the minds of people on the basis of casteism, are the worst enemies of society,” PWA coordinator and MDMK general secretary Vaiko told reporters here.
On Sunday, an armed gang rode into Udumalpet and hacked a 22-year-old Dalit boy in broad daylight. His wife was injured. “Whichever party they belong to, strong action should be taken. An atmosphere should be created by all political parties that this land of Periyar should not become a land of honour killings,” Vaiko said.
CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said the gruesome murder of the Dalit youth was the 81st incident of honour killing in the last three years. “Despite the State witnessing more honour killings, the government is still in a denial mode. Last year, when opposition parties sought passing of a separate legislation to prevent honour killings, the then Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam denied any such incident in the State and dismissed need for such a law,” he pointed out. He added that PWA in its CMP has promised to bring in a separate legislation against honour killings if voted to power.
VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan alleged that inaction of State government against those parties which are openly spreading canards against inter-caste and inter religious marriages has led to an increase in honour killings. He cautioned that the Kongu belt was facing rising caste clashes and government should check the trend as caste outfits are fanning flames with an eye on elections. When asked to name the parties spreading casteism, he said everybody knows who they are. The TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan also condemned the honour killing.
