4 Dalits Killed in 4 Days, Activists Say Upper Castes in TN Using Lockdown as Opportunity for Assaults

“Tamil Nadu should be declared as an atrocity state. The caste situation here is like in no other state,” says A Kathir, executive director of Madurai-based NGO Evidence.

Caste-based violence has raised its ugly head to new levels in Tamil Nadu during the time of the novel coronavirus pandemic, allege social activists.

Since the first nationwide lockdown began on March 25, there have been at least 30 major incidents of caste-based violence in the state, according to a study by Evidence. Activists allege that in many places, some upper-caste groups are using the lockdown as an opportunity to assault Dalits.