Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu is known for caste domination and atrocities against Dalits. Mr. Sait of Ambedkar Periyar Makkal Kazhakam was one among those in the forefront in the struggles against atrocities on Dalits in 1990s. He was murdered on 19th May 2015. More than 1000 people assembled at the spot of murder demanding justice. Few people were arrested immediately by police. However, as per the police version the murder was committed by a dalit youth who was arrested and sent to jail. Even though people were not able to identify the real culprit, suspicion looms large among the dalit community about the police’ version.
In this background, CPI(ML) held a demonstration against honour killings and atrocities on dalits on 26.06.2015. It also included a demand for impartial probe into the murder of Mr. Sait and also demanded that the suspicion in the minds of the people be cleared. The police denied permission for the programme. Defying the ban, dalit youths in and around Gandarvakottai poured in and raised slogans. Protestors also demanded justice in the recent case of honour killing of Gokulraj of Salem. Police arrested hundreds of youths assembled there and this programme was widely welcomed by other left and dalit outfits.
