Dalit student's fingers chopped in TN

A Dalit student was attacked by a gang of unknown persons, and his fingers chopped, in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district while he was on his way to appear for an exam.

Devendran, a Class 11 student and son of a day-wager Thanga Ganesh, was travelling from his residence to his school in Palayamkottai on Monday morning to appear for an exam when he was attacked. Midway on the route, three men reportedly blocked the bus at a crossing, dragged Devendran out of the bus, and severed fingers of his left hand. The gang also reportedly attacked the father, Thanga Ganesh, leaving him with severe gash injuries, including to his head.

Thanga Ganesh was a worker at a brick kiln in Ariyanayagapuram, a village in the southern part of the district.

The attacking gang fled the scene when other commuters gathered to intervene. Devendran was taken to Srivaikundam Government Hospital and then moved to Tirunelveli Government Hospital, where surgery was underway to reattach his fingers. The police detained three minors in connection with the attack.

Meanwhile, Devendran’s family claimed it was in retaliation for a recent Kabaddi match, where he was instrumental in defeating an opposing team of caste Hindus. Devendran is said to be an excellent Kabaddi player.

Devendran’s father said, “Three men, who belonged to the Thevar community from the next village attacked him. This is a caste-related crime. We are from the SC (Scheduled Caste) community.” The attack victim’s uncle, Suresh, demanded justice and the assailants be taken into custody.