Perungudi, Tamil Nadu, In a shocking incident, five members of the Dalit community, including a five-year-old boy, were attacked with swords by two upper caste Hindutva men in Tamil Nadu, India. This brutal act highlights the continuing caste-based violence in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Dalit victims, currently receiving treatment in a Madurai district hospital, include Ganapathy Kumar, Ajith, Vijayakumar, Periyasamy, and his five-year-old grandson. All residents of Sankaiah Koil Street in Perungudi, they belong to the Paraiyar community, a Scheduled Caste group.

The incident, as reported by the website of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and covered by The News Minute, occurred while the victims were conversing at a playground before starting their work as daily laborers. They were approached by two men, R. Mari and K. Sasikumar, who inquired about someone named Kannan Pillai. Following a heated exchange over the victims’ unawareness of Pillai, the accused reportedly hurled casteist slurs at them, accusing them of not showing the due respect to their caste.

The attackers are identified as belonging to the Kallar community, known for its significant political influence in the area. The News Minute report highlights the sensitive nature of caste dynamics and the power imbalance in the region.

This attack has led to widespread condemnation from Dalit rights activists, shedding light on the deep-seated caste prejudices and violence that continue to plague parts of Indian society.