In what has become a horrible incident that got added to the history of caste discrimination and caste violence in Tamil Nadu, a 47-year-old man in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu was assaulted by a mob of dominant caste Hindus and he had eventually died after sustaining severe injuries. The incident has thrown more light on the prevailing caste discrimination and the police have arrested seven people so far in connection to the attack. 

According to reports, 47-year-old Kesavan, a resident of Sulthanpettai of Coimbatore, belongs to the Madari caste. On February 7, Kesavan was driving a two-wheeler in the area during which he rammed into the vehicle of Mayilsami, a milk vendor, who belongs to the dominant Kongu Vellalar caste. After the collision, it has been reported that Kesavan left the spot without tendering an apology to Mayilsami and the latter took it as an offence and attacked him with the help of other members of his caste. 

IANS has reported that Mayilsami had suffered injuries and a mob of 14 members had stormed into Kesavan's house and brutally attacked him. According to the FIR, the mob has also attacked Kesavan's wife and his daughter-in-law, who tried to protect him. All three of them had suffered grave injuries and they were taken to the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital. Kesavan remained critical as he had sustained injuries in his head. 

Amid the treatments, Kesavan had died in the evening hours of Thursday - February 10 and following his demise, the situation was surrounded by a wave of tensions with several people, who belonged to Scheduled Caste communities, had staged protests and blocked the streets. After the incident, a case has been registered against the 14-member mob under sections 147- punishment for rioting, 148- rioting and armed with a deadly weapon, 294(b) - sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, 323- causing hurt, 427 - causing damage, 302- murder, and 355 - assault of the Indian Penal Code. 

A case has also been filed under relevant sections of the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act. Of the 14 people booked, the police have arrested seven people so far and the officials had asserted that the manhunt is launched to apprehend the remaining seven people. Speaking to IANS, VCK leader Thamaraikannan has demanded strong action against the perpetrators of this violence.

He said, "A road accident in which a Scheduled Caste person lost control of his bike and rammed it into a moped driven by a caste Hindu injuring him has led to such a situation wherein the bike driver has lost his life. This is pure hooliganism in the name of caste and we will not tolerate this." As the sequel of the caste violence, the police team led by the Superintendent of Police has been stationed in the area and the officials had affirmed that the situation has been brought under control.