Muruganandam, 27, an MBA graduate from the Dalit community, and Banupriya, a member of the dominant caste, have been in relationship for the past three years. Banupriya’s family had strongly opposed their relationship as the boy is Dalit. They had met Muruganandam in person and threatened to kill him. They also locked up Banupriya at their home against her will.
Banupriya’s family threatened to kill her if she continued the relationship. Banupriya escaped, and arrived at the house of Muruganandam, at 5.30 am on the 21st of April 2020. Fearing riots at where the boy lives, the couple got married at 6:30 am hoping that the girl’s family would accept and spare them.
At around 7.30 am Banupriya’s brother, brother-in-law, and more than 15 dominant caste people went to Muruganandam’s house with deadly weapons such as knives and wooden logs. Then they passed casteist slurs on Muruganandam, attacked him brutally and abducted Banupriya.
Police reached on time with Dalit Human Rights Defender, Evidence’s interventaion and rescued BhanuPriya. Court ordered for police protection for the couple.
There have been almost 6 incidents of violent attacks and 5 caste-killings of intermarriage couples in Tamil Nadu during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Artist: Shreyash Ramteke
