Tamil Nadu SC man forced to prostrate before dominant caste members for bursting crackers; 6 booked

The relatives of Anbarasan had burst crackers and walked through the street where the members of the dominant caste live to reach Anbarasan’s residence.

The next day the members of the dominant caste intercepted Anbarasan when he was about to pick up his daughter from school and abused him for bursting crackers, walking through their street, and threatened him with dire consequences.

On July 11, these members allegedly abused Anbarasan’s brother Thirunavukarasu when he went to buy a cigarette near the same area. The incident led to the intervention of the police who called both sides for a peace talk, the FIR read.

The next day, both communities along with their leaders gathered for a talk before coming to the police station. During this meeting, Thirunavukarasu was reportedly told to prostrate before the dominant caste members and assure them such incidents will not happen again.

Based on a complaint by Anbarasan, the police registered an FIR against six people, including P Kannan, S Ramachandran, S Rajesh, R Ramesh, S Arul, and K Velusamy, and 30 others under sections 147 (rioting), 294b (sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words in or near any public place, 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person) 5061 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and multiple sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, a senior police officer said out of the main accused, Rajesh has been arrested and the rest of them are absconding. They have formed a special team to nab them, said the officer.

“The situation is normal in the village. Both communities have been living in peace for many years and this was one instance. We have also received reports Thirunavukarasu had in an inebriated condition abused Kannan and his family on July 11 which led to further tension,” the official said.

“Before coming to the police station, the leaders of both communities had held talks and it was only based on the orders of the leader of the SC community that Thirunavukarasu bowed down before the other community. Soon after we received the complaint, senior officials registered a case. We are initiating further inquiry on this,” the officer added.