Scheduled Caste student Iyyasamy undergoing treatment after being assaulted for riding a Bullet bike in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu | Representative Image
Chennai: In a gory crime that starkly reminds of the prevalence of sharp caste discrimination even in a developed State like Tamil Nadu, a Scheduled Caste youth’s hands were slashed by caste Hindus for daring to ride a Bullet in Melapidavur village in Sivaganga district, down south. The victim Iyyasamy, a final year BSc Mathematics student, with both his hands bandaged is undergoing treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
According to police, three caste Hindu youth Vinothkumar, Vallarasu and Atheeshwaran had attached Iyyasamy late on Wednesday evening when he was returning home on his Bullet. The accused belonging to the same village have since been arrested.
The assailants questioned how dare Iyyasamy ride a Bullet. They told him only the “upper castes” can drive such bikes and not the Scheduled Caste. They attacked him with sharp objects slashing his hands causing bleeding injuries. The victim managed to flee from the spot.
Police quoting Iyyasamy’s family said in the past some caste Hindus had damaged the motorcycle. At the same time, there were also claims that the attack was a fallout of Iyyasamy allegedly teasing Atheeshwaran.
Further investigations are on.
