Inter-Caste Couple in Hiding After Marriage Sparks Violent Backlash in Tamil Nadu
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/18th June 2024
Five days after an inter-caste “self-respect marriage” conducted at a Communist Party of India (Marxist) office in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli, the newlyweds remain in hiding, struggling to register their marriage amid threats and violence. The incident has garnered significant media attention following the vandalism of the CPI(M) office by caste groups and the woman’s parents on June 14, even as police stood by.
The couple, Madhan Kumar (28) and Udhaya Thatchayayini (23), hail from different social backgrounds. Madhan belongs to the Arunthathiyar caste, a Scheduled Caste, from Palayamkottai, while Udhaya is from the Saiva Pillai caste, a Forward Caste, from nearby Perumalpuram. Their relationship, which began six years ago, faced fierce opposition from Udhaya’s family and community.
After leaving their homes on June 12, the couple sought refuge at the CPI(M) office on June 13. Udhaya expressed fear for their lives, telling CPI(M) Tirunelveli district secretary Sri Ram that her father had threatened to kill them. Despite their fear, leaving the city immediately was not an option.
Sri Ram explained that the CPI(M) decided to provide shelter to the couple and facilitated their marriage as an act of support. However, this decision provoked severe backlash from local caste groups. The situation escalated when, on June 14, members of Udhaya’s family and the Vellalar Munnetra Kazhagam, a caste outfit, stormed the CPI(M) office and vandalized it in the presence of police officers. This led to suspicions among CPI(M) functionaries that the police had informed the attackers about the couple’s location.
“On June 14, after we requested police protection for our office, two policemen arrived. Shortly after, the woman’s family and caste group members barged in and caused extensive damage,” said Sri Ram. He expressed strong suspicion regarding the involvement of some police officers in leaking the couple’s whereabouts to the attackers .
The Perumalpuram police have since booked 25 individuals under various charges, including the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act. Sixteen people, including Udhaya’s parents and members of the Vellalar Munnetra Kazhagam, have been arrested.
Perumalpuram police inspector G. Thillai Nagarajan has denied any misconduct by the police, stating that they have been actively arresting those involved in the violence . However, the incident has highlighted the severe social tensions and risks faced by inter-caste couples in India, particularly in regions where traditional caste hierarchies remain deeply entrenched.
The “self-respect marriage” concept, promoted by the CPI(M), aims to allow couples to marry without the rituals and ceremonies that reinforce caste distinctions. Despite the progressive intent, such unions often provoke violent opposition from conservative elements within society.
Madhan and Udhaya’s plight underscores the broader issue of caste-based discrimination and the dangers faced by those who challenge these norms. The couple’s struggle to register their marriage and the violent backlash they have faced highlight the urgent need for societal change and better protection for inter-caste couples.
As the couple remains in hiding, their story continues to unfold, drawing attention to the ongoing challenges and risks associated with inter-caste marriages in India. It also raises questions about the role of law enforcement in protecting vulnerable individuals and the need for stronger measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
