People lay floral tributes at the site of BSP leader K. Armstrong killed by a gang in Perambur on July 5, 2024 | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
The incident that followed the brutal killing of Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party president K. Armstrong, in Perambur on July 5, such as the scene of thousands of confused supporters surrounding his funeral congregation, BSP chief Mayawati strongly criticized that law and order has suffered in Tamil. Nadu while demanding a CBI inquiry, and a last-minute legal battle to bury his remains have focused heavily on the Tamil Nadu government’s response to the atrocities and discrimination faced by Dalits.
As Ms. Mayawati reiterated that the State government should ensure that the real killers are caught and punished, a request was placed by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan and the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, K. Selvaperunthagai, refuted allegations by Mr. Armstrong’s supporters that those who surrendered at the police station were not the real killers.
Although Chief Minister MK Stalin met Mr. Armstrong’s wife and gave assurances of justice and bringing about changes in the Police Department, the State government has faced strong reactions from prominent Dalit voices and activists on the need for a sincere response to stop the incident. violence and discrimination faced by them in Tamil Nadu.
The latest incident has also put pressure on DMK’s allies, especially VCK and Congress, both of which are important to galvanize Dalits and minorities electorally, resulting in two emphatic victories in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and 2024.
Talk to The Hindu, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that the VCK had never shied away from protesting against Dalit atrocities just because it was in alliance with the DMK, but he added that there was a need to allow the police department to complete its investigation. “We mobilized 5,000 people and protested against the Vengaivayal issue. For the Srimathi issue (in Kallakurichi), we mobilized 10,000 people. When the Kallakurichi illicit liquor incident happened, we protested the next day,” he said.
Asked if he thought the DMK’s response to atrocities against Dalits in the last three years was sufficient, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “Is there a scale to measure their response? They (the State Government) say they have acted and we say it is not enough.”
Elaborating on what he thought about the demand for a CBI probe and the claim that the real cause should be found, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “In Tamil Nadu, only the BJP has demanded an immediate CBI probe. Why should the demand be made within hours? Before the police have a chance to investigate the case mentioned? Usually, the real criminals will try to escape while the contract killers will give up immediately. Let the police finish the investigation.”
Pa Ranjith, film director and screenwriter pays tribute to slain BSP leader K. Armstrong in Chennai on Sunday, July 7, 2024 | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
TNCC President Mr. Selvaperunthagai said that there is a need to strengthen intelligence gathering in Tamil Nadu and added that the State Government’s response to the death of illegal liquor Kallakurichi, is appropriate.
“At the district level, police inspectors are assigned to intelligence meetings. When debating the demand for grants related to the Police, I said that officers with the rank of DSP or ADSP should be included. In the cities, the Inspector General should take care of this. He should know about threats to the leaders, especially the district level leaders,” he said.
Filmmaker Pa. Ranjith, who was present at the funeral, and was closely associated with Armstrong, has raised some questions for the Tamil Nadu government when it will take a serious view of the atrocities against Dalits in Tamil Nadu, accusing the State Government of destroying the efforts to bury the body in Perambur, at the BSP office , and whether the State government’s social justice slogan is just a political ploy to amplify the Dalit voice.