Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Tamil Nadu Burial Dispute Leads to Alleged Forced Prostration
A 90-year-old man from a Scheduled Caste community died in Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
One report identified him as Chenni.
His community tried to bury him in a village burial ground that officials had recently declared open to all communities.
Reports say some dominant-caste villagers stopped the burial and threatened not to give local work to Scheduled Caste residents.
Two men reportedly fell at the villagers’ feet and pleaded with them.
A video of the incident later spread online.
The burial was completed with police protection and Revenue Department officials present.
Police registered a case against two people under a law addressing atrocities against Scheduled Castes.
The investigation is ongoing.
A 90-year-old Scheduled Caste man, identified in one report as Chenni, died on October 5.
His community attempted to bury him in a village burial ground recently declared common to all communities.
Reports say dominant-caste villagers blocked the burial and allegedly threatened to withhold future local employment from Scheduled Caste residents.
Two Scheduled Caste men reportedly fell at the villagers’ feet; a video of the incident circulated online.
Police registered a case against two individuals under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the burial was completed under police protection.
- Who
- A Scheduled Caste community, two of its men, dominant-caste villagers, and the deceased, identified in one report as Chenni.
- What
- A burial-ground dispute involved an alleged threat to withhold employment and two men reportedly falling at villagers’ feet.
- When
- The man died on October 5; the case was registered late Thursday night, and the video circulated on Friday. The year is not stated.
- Where
- Perumbali, also reported as Perumpalli, near Perundurai in Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The dispute arose when the community tried to use the village burial ground, which had recently been declared common to all communities.
Scheduled Caste residents and supporters
Dominant-caste villagers
Use of the burial ground
Scheduled Caste residents and supporters
Scheduled Caste residents sought to bury a community member in the village ground, reportedly recently declared common to all communities.
Dominant-caste villagers
Reports say dominant-caste villagers objected and blocked the burial; the articles do not include their account.
Threats and response
Scheduled Caste residents and supporters
Reports say villagers threatened to withhold future local employment, prompting two men to plead at their feet; the Bahujan Samaj Party appealed for action.
Dominant-caste villagers
The alleged threat and conduct are reported by the articles, which provide no response from the villagers.
- Deceased
- A 90-year-old man; one report identifies him as Chenni
- Date of death
- October 5
- Village
- Perumbali, also reported as Perumpalli, near Perundurai, Erode district
- Burial ground
- Recently declared common to all communities by the Perundurai Tahsildar
- Previous burial location
- Thingalur, about five kilometres away
- Scheduled Caste residents
- Revenue Department authorities said around 100 lived in the village
- Police action
- Thingalur police registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against two individuals
- Burial arrangements
- Completed under police protection and Revenue Department supervision
