RTI shows just one caste killing case in south TN in six years

Madurai: RTI data obtained by activist S Karthik has revealed that only one case of caste killing was officially recorded in the last six years in seven districts of south Tamil Nadu, and he urged Justice K N Basha's commission to conduct statewide field studies and consult stakeholders to draft a caste killing law.According to the RTI response, data provided by the additional superintendent of police (Headquarters) shows that between Jan 1, 2020, and Dec 31, 2025, only one case of caste killing was reported across Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram and Pudukkottai districts. The solitary case was registered in 2021 at Emaneswaram police station in Ramanathapuram district. Police in the remaining six districts reported zero cases during the six-year period. Karthik said the lack of official recognition of such crimes stems from the absence of a specific legal definition. He noted that while the Supreme Court had, in 2018, called for special laws to prevent caste-based crimes, the Tamil Nadu government has shown little progress over the past eight years. In contrast, he pointed to neighbouring Karnataka, which recently enacted the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Honour and Tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Bill, 2026 on March 24. He said the delay has also cast a shadow over the state-appointed commission. In October 2025, chief minister M K Stalin announced the formation of a committee headed by retired high court judge Justice K N Basha to draft a special law. The commission, comprising legal experts, progressive thinkers and anthropologists, was tasked with creating a robust legal framework. However, six months after its formation, allegations have surfaced that the committee has yet to meet even a single family affected by caste-based violence. He urged the commission to move beyond administrative processes and conduct a statewide field study to gather testimonies from affected families, educators and civil society members. He said there is a growing demand among the public that only through such a study and a formal feedback mechanism can changes be refined and a constructive draft law be formulated. MSID:: 129880809 413 |