Chennai, Jan 11 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Police has embarked on a vigorous awareness initiative targeting schools and colleges in the southern districts of the state to address caste discrimination.
The focus of these programs will be on the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Kanniyakumari.
The Director General of Police (DGP), Sankar Jiwal, has directed the Southern Range DIG, Pa Moorthy, to involve professional counselors in these efforts.
This initiative follows a police investigation that uncovered significant resentment among caste groups in the area, frequently leading to violent incidents.
These districts have seen numerous caste-based killings and retaliatory violence over time, particularly among intermediary castes and Dalit groups.
While prior awareness initiatives have taken place, recent evaluations highlighted the necessity for more thorough measures to counteract entrenched biases and cultivate harmony among youth.
The Tirunelveli DIG has stated that strict actions will be enforced against those inciting caste-related violence.
Special police units have been established to track unresolved cases associated with caste conflicts, POCSO offenders, and habitual criminals to ensure maximum legal action.
The southern range police will also enhance security at courts and hospitals to avert incidents in these locations.
Notably, the area recorded 176 murders in 2024 alone, many of which were connected to caste issues.
Following the murder of S. Mayandi near the Tirunelveli district court on December 20, 2024, caste tensions have escalated, particularly on social media.
Superintendent of Police (SP) N. Silambarasan has cautioned against disseminating hate-filled posts online and urged the community to uphold communal harmony.
“The recent murder has triggered posts aimed at creating societal discord. We will take stringent measures against those responsible,” he asserted.
The Tirunelveli Taluk police have documented three cases thus far and are actively pursuing those behind the offensive postings.
In 2024, a total of 27 similar cases were logged, with arrests made in each instance.
Private buses in the area have been instructed to cease playing caste-based songs, which previously served to glorify certain groups while offending others.
Subramanian, a software engineer from Chennai originally from Tirunelveli, commented: “During our school years, private buses frequently played songs that exalted one caste while vilifying others. This decision to prohibit such practices is commendable as it promotes a more inclusive atmosphere.”
The southern districts, including Dindigul, have historically faced issues of caste violence. In previous years, incidents such as public beheadings and displays of severed heads have shocked the nation.
In response, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has committed to taking decisive action against such atrocities.
During one crisis, the then-DGP C. Sylendra Babu instructed local authorities to monitor shops selling items that could be used as weapons, such as knives and axes, ensuring sales were limited to verified domestic users.
The police are now focused on promoting unity among various caste groups through mixed-community initiatives and educational campaigns.
These efforts aim to foster understanding and reduce caste-based animosities among students in schools and colleges.
The region’s history of caste violence highlights the urgent need for such interventions. The Tirunelveli district police remain dedicated to maintaining peace and mitigating caste-related tensions through vigilance, enforcement, and community-building programs.
