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Film maker Pa Ranjith on Tuesday, July 29, condemned the caste killing of Kavin Selvaganesh, an IT employee over his relationship with a woman from the Maravar caste.
Kavin was hacked to death on Sunday, July 27, by Surjith, brother of Subhashini, who he was in a relationship with. Kavin belongs to the Devendra Kulavelalar caste, categorised as a scheduled caste in Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred at KTC Nagar in Tirunelveli while Kavin was going to a private hospital along with his grandfather. The parents of the accused are both police officers and have been suspended following the crime.
Sharing a post on behalf of Neelam Cultural Center, associated with him, Pa Ranjith, said: “The state must accept the fact that caste based crimes are increasing day by day in Tamil Nadu and must not limit its response to such crimes simply to the provision of a government job to the victim's family or monetary compensation.” Kavin’s parents had refused to receive the victim compensation, and said that they wanted justice for Kavin. “We wouldn’t receive even if it is crores of money. We want justice for our son,” said Sekar, Kavin’s father.
“Districts which have a high incidence of caste crimes must be put under additional security. Districts including Tirunelveli, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai and Thoothukudi should be declared as Atrocity Prone Areas as per the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocity Act and special police stations should be set up in these districts. The statement says.
The post also alleged that the police do not follow due procedure in dealing with caste crimes. “The moment the incidents of violence occur, a First Information Report should be filed and the report should be sent to the Deputy Superintendent of Police for investigation. The police do not follow even these basic legal rules. This is what the Madras High Court had recently pointed out.” it said. Ranjith, in his post pointed out that the parents of the accused who are also police officers, have not been arrested for the crime and alleged that the District magistrate has also neglected due procedure in the case
"Knowing that his parents were also involved in the murder, Kavin's parents and relatives staged a road blockade demanding that they be included as accused. Due to the pressure that followed, Surjit's parents have now been included as accused, but they have not been arrested yet. According to the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities Act, the District Magistrate should meet the people involved as soon as an atrocity incident takes place. So far, the Magistrate has not personally met the victims. Even in this modern era of instant media coverage, each time such incidents occur, the Scheduled Caste people have to fight to get basic justice," the post reads
In his post, Ranjith also expressed concern over the fairness of the investigation as two of the accused are themselves, police officers and states that in such crimes police officers take to spreading false narratives.
"The police should abandon the tendency of circulating alternative stories in the media every time caste-based crimes occur. The government should take strict action against the police officers involved in such activities." he wrote.
The statement also called for the creation of committees to study caste pride killings like the committee formed under retired High Court justice K Chandru to study caste atrocities in schools.
"The government needs to respect the social rights and dignity of the Scheduled Caste people of Tamil Nadu and stand with the Scheduled Caste people beyond electoral politics. The Tamil Nadu government should act with this responsibility in mind" Ranjith wrote while also condemning the DMK as well as its coalition partners for ignoring the demands for separate laws against caste killings