Caste discrimination during SC man’s burial: Protest in Erode seeks action against officials

The protesters demanded that officials be held accountable under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act for their alleged failure to prevent the humiliation meted out to members of an SC community

Published - October 12, 2026 03:48 pm IST - ERODE

More than 100 members of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and progressive organisations staged a protest in Thingalur near Erode on Monday (October 12, 2026), demanding action against officials over the alleged humiliation of Scheduled Caste people during a dispute over a burial in Perumbali village. The protesters also urged the authorities to declare Thingalur and Madathupalayam village panchayats areas affected by untouchability.

Chenni, 90, died of age-related ailments on October 5. When his family sought to bury his body in the village’s common burial ground, members of Backward Community allegedly objected to the burial, as the deceased belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. The protesters alleged that members of the Scheduled Caste community were made to fall at the feet of others even as police and Revenue Department officials were present at the spot. A case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against seven persons.

At Monday’s protest, the participants demanded that officials be held accountable under the Act for their alleged failure to prevent the humiliation. They also sought an on-site inquiry by representatives of the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the Collector, and the Superintendent of Police.

Bahujan Samaj Party State coordinator for the western zone P. Eswaran, was among those who addressed the protest.

Published - October 12, 2026 03:48 pm IST

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