Allegations of caste discrimination have surfaced in Perumbali village in Madathupalayam panchayat near Perundurai in Erode district, after two members of a Scheduled Caste (SC) community reportedly fell at the feet of members of a Backward Caste (BC) community amid opposition to the burial of a deceased man in a common cemetery.

More than 100 people belonging to an SC community live in the village. They have faced difficulties burying their dead in the local cemetery owing to opposition from members of the dominant BC community and have had to take the bodies to Thingalur, about five kilometres away. Following a survey, the Perundurai Tahsildar had declared the burial ground common to all communities.

SC members threatened

On October 5, Chenni, a 90-year-old inhabitant belonging to the SC community, died of age-related ailments. When members of the SC community took his body to the cemetery, they allegedly faced opposition from members of the BC community, leading to an argument.

According to the district police, the burial was conducted under police and Revenue Department protection. During an argument between members of the two communities, members of the SC community were allegedly threatened and told not to approach the other community for any work in the future. Following this, two members of the SC community fell at the feet of members of the BC community.

Case registered

The police said a case had been registered at Thingalur police station on Thursday (October 8, 2026) night based on a complaint lodged by the Perundurai Revenue Inspector. Provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked against two persons in connection with the incident. An investigation was under way.

Incident triggers outrage

Video footage of the incident, including the alleged humiliation of the SC community members, has circulated on social media, triggering condemnation and demands for action against those responsible.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) State coordinator for the western zone P. Eswaran alleged that members of the BC community had violated the rights of SC people by opposing their use of the common burial ground. He said the alleged threat that they would be denied work if they used the cemetery amounted to caste oppression. He also condemned the alleged exploitation of their economic vulnerability to force them to fall at the feet of members of the other community.

Mr. Eswaran questioned the role of the police and Revenue Department officials present at the spot and demanded action against those who opposed the burial and officials who allegedly failed to prevent the humiliation.