Five Persons, Including Seven-Year-Old Boy, Attacked with Swords in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai: Victim Identified as Ajith Kumar

Five individuals, including a seven-year-old boy from a scheduled caste, were brutally attacked by two youths from an intermediate caste using swords near Perungudi in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on Monday night. The victims, identified as Ganapathi Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Ajith Kumar, and the young boy, were daily wage laborers who were standing near a stage for a drama before heading to work.

The incident occurred around 7.15 pm when two intoxicated youths, R Mari and K Sasikumar, arrived on a motorcycle and asked about someone named Kannapillai. When the laborers said they didn’t know him, an argument ensued, and one of the attackers pulled out a sword and began assaulting the victims. During the altercation, a man named Periyasamy and his grandson, both belonging to the scheduled caste, were also attacked.

According to the FIR, the accused verbally abused the victims for folding up their lungies (traditional clothing) instead of wearing them down to their toes, which they considered disrespectful. The accused inflicted injuries on the victims’ limbs, with the young boy sustaining cuts on his feet.

Despite the screams of the victims, the assailants managed to escape before onlookers could intervene. The injured were immediately taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital, and the incident sparked a protest in the village. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers.

Based on a complaint by Ganapathi, the Perungudi police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. One of the accused, Mari, has been arrested, while Sasikumar remains at large. Three others who were somehow involved in the incident were also taken into custody.

A senior police officer confirmed that Mari has a criminal record. A local NGO representative, A Kathir, stated that the incident reflects the influence of caste pride on individuals from a young age. He called for the accused to be denied bail and for the government to provide a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each to the victims.

The incident highlights the growing trend of violence and the emergence of the ‘Aruval Kalacharam’ (sword culture) in Madurai, following similar incidents in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. Authorities are continuing their efforts to apprehend Sasikumar and ensure justice for the victims.