Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu: In a horrifying display of caste-based violence, a 21-year-old Dalit student, R Iyyasamy, was brutally assaulted by three caste Hindu men for riding a ‘Bullet’ motorcycle. The incident occurred in Melapidavur village, where caste discrimination has long persisted. Iyyasamy sustained severe injuries to both his hands and is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
According to police sources, the attack took place late Wednesday evening when Iyyasamy was returning home. He was confronted by three men—R Vinothkumar (21), A Atheeshwaran (22), and M Vallarasu (21)—who assaulted him with sharp weapons, allegedly declaring that Dalits should not ride high-end bikes.
Muniyasami, a relative of the victim, stated that the assailants not only attacked Iyyasamy but also hurled casteist slurs. “They hacked his hands and said that only upper-caste people are allowed to ride such bikes. If he had not managed to escape, they would have killed him,” he said. Following the assault, caste Hindus reportedly ransacked the Dalit family’s home, deepening fears of further violence.
Iyyasamy’s father, Boominathan, confirmed that this was not the first instance of caste hostility. “They had previously damaged his bike, showing their resentment over a Dalit riding a Bullet,” he said.
However, police sources have attempted to downplay the caste angle, suggesting that a prior altercation between Iyyasamy and one of the accused, Atheeshwaran, might have been the reason for the attack. Despite this claim, the deep-rooted caste system and discriminatory practices continue to endanger Dalit lives across India.
The SIPCOT police have registered a case under Sections 296(1), 126(2), 118(1), and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Caste Violence and the Legacy of Manusmriti
Incidents like these reflect the enduring influence of caste-based discrimination, deeply rooted in India’s social fabric. Despite constitutional safeguards, the Manusmriti-inspired caste hierarchy continues to manifest in violent ways, restricting Dalits and other marginalized communities from exercising basic rights. From economic exclusion to social oppression, Dalits and minorities remain vulnerable to systemic violence, echoing a past where Manusmriti dictated oppressive norms.
The increasing number of caste-based atrocities across India underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of laws protecting Dalits and marginalized communities. The failure to address such injustices not only violates the ideals of equality and justice but also exposes the persistence of casteist mindsets in modern India. Until society dismantles these regressive structures, true justice will remain a distant dream for millions.
