A group of Dalits, who were travelling in a tractor. a Dalit liberation song from a movie with actor Dhanush in the lead was played. They were stopped and attacked by Vanniyars, a section of upper-caste Hindus who are the majority in the area, opposed playing the song in Cuddalore of Tamil Nadu, on Monday, March 6. The incident took place Sathappadi village near Bhuvanagiri, in the Cuddalore district. when a group of people were returning from Parangipettai after Maasi Maham (Salakkarai Mariamma temple festival). Maasi Maham is one of the important festivals for Hindus living in Tamil Nadu.
A group of Dalits, who were travelling in a tractor, were stopped and attacked by a group of caste Hindu men, in Cuddalore of Tamil Nadu.
pic.twitter.com/VQMeueZqz4— Ahmed Khabeer احمد خبیر (@AhmedKhabeer_) March 8, 2023
Refusing to do so, a few Dalit youths are said to have entered into an altercation with the Vanniyar men. Subsequently, the upper-caste Hindus allegedly attacked the Dalit people in the procession with wooden logs and stones, in Cuddalore. More than a dozen people were injured in the attack.
Six persons, including three children and an elderly person have been admitted to the Bhuvanagiri Government Hospital. Seven persons – Suralirajan (29), Sanjay (23), Dhayanidhi (18), Kumaresan (26), Abhimani (18), Chandru (20) and Subhash (23) – have been arrested. six from the Vanniyar community under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, and one from the Dalit community — so far in connection with the incident.
Founding Editor of The Jamia Times. An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, he previously worked with The Quint and Maktoob Media, focusing on hate crimes, marginalised communities, and democratic rights in India. His reporting has documented custodial torture, caste and communal violence, and the everyday struggles of vulnerable groups across Uttar Pradesh and beyond. His work has also appeared in national and international outlets, amplifying grassroots stories to wider audiences.