Tamil Nadu Dalit student on way to write exam dragged from bus, assaulted, fingers chopped
Chennai: In a horrific incident, a Dalit student on his way to take an exam in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district was attacked by his classmates who assaulted and chopped his fingers in what his family alleged was a caste-driven assault.
The Class 11 student was travelling on a bus from his residence to his school in Palayamkottai to appear for an exam when he was attacked. The three minors allegedly blocked the bus at a crossing, dragged the young boy out, and severed fingers of his left hand. His father, who tried to intervene, was also attacked and suffered injuries.
The family of the student said the brutal attack stemmed from anger over the role he played in a kabaddi match in which his team defeated opponents who belonged to higher castes, as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
Additionally, the police were investigating whether the attack was connected to an alleged romantic relationship between the student and a girl from a higher caste.
A senior police officer told IE that the student's father initially cited the kabaddi match as the motive for the attack in his complaint. However, a preliminary probe and questioning of the detained minors—all classmates of the victim—suggested that the violence may have been triggered by the student’s alleged relationship with the sister of one of the detained boys, who belongs to the Thevar community.
The boy was first taken to Srivaikundam Government Hospital and then shifted to Tirunelveli Government Hospital, where doctors performed surgery in an attempt to reattach the severed fingers, the report added.
The incident has sparked outrage, with the student’s family and local activists demanding justice. The victim’s uncle, Suresh, stated that they belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and alleged that others do not want them to progress in life. He called for justice and urged authorities to take the assailants into custody.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
