In a deeply distressing incident from Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, 28-year-old Dalit youth K. Vairamuthu was hacked to death when returning home at night. He had been in a relationship with Malini, 26, for over ten years, but her non-Dalit mother, Vijaya, strongly opposed their relationship and plans to wed. 

Malini and her father belong to the Scheduled Caste community while Vijaya does not. Tensions escalated in recent days. Vijaya allegedly confronted Vairamuthu at his workplace, hurling abuses an incident caught on video. Despite last week’s police mediation where Malini affirmed her wish to marry Vairamuthu, and moving in with him after being disowned, opposition remained. 

On Monday night, six men, armed with sickles, ambushed Vairamuthu on his two-wheeler. He sustained fatal injuries to his neck and hands and succumbed to them at the Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital. Police have arrested five suspects. Vairamuthu’s family has demanded that the SC/ST Act be applied, especially pointing at Vijaya’s alleged instigation of the crime. 

The community’s outrage has been strong: more than 150 people, including political party members and social activists, blocked the Mayiladuthurai-Kumbakonam highway. Authorities say four special teams have been formed to catch all involved, and an investigation into the mother's role is ongoing to see if SC/ST provisions apply.