In a shocking caste-related attack, a Dalit student in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district was brutally assaulted, with his fingers severed, while he was on his way to write an exam.
Devendran, a Class 11 student, was traveling to his school in Palayamkottai on Monday morning when three men stopped his bus, dragged him out, and chopped off fingers of his left hand. His father, Thanga Ganesh, a daily wage worker, who tried to intervene, was also attacked and suffered severe head injuries.
According to the victim’s family, the attack was retaliation for a recent Kabaddi match, where Devendran played a crucial role in defeating a team of caste Hindus. His father accused members of the Thevar community of orchestrating the attack.
“This is a caste-related crime. We are from the SC (Scheduled Caste) community, and they don’t want us to progress in life,” said Thanga Ganesh.
Devendran was rushed to Srivaikundam Government Hospital and later shifted to Tirunelveli Government Hospital, where doctors are attempting to reattach his fingers through surgery.
The police have detained three minors in connection with the attack, but the family insists that the real masterminds remain at large.
Devendran’s uncle, Suresh, has demanded immediate action. “For three days, they were roaming around freely. They need to be arrested. Someone is backing them, giving them the courage to act this way,” he alleged.