A Dalit student was attacked and had his fingers severed by a gang of unknown assailants while on his way to an exam in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district on Monday.
Devendran, a Class 11 student and son of a brick kiln worker, was traveling from his home to his school in Palayamkottai when three men reportedly blocked his bus, dragged him out, and chopped off the fingers of his left hand. His father, Thanga Ganesh, who tried to intervene, was also attacked and sustained serious injuries, including a head wound.
The attackers fled when other commuters gathered, and Devendran was rushed to Srivaikundam Government Hospital before being transferred to Tirunelveli Government Hospital, where doctors are attempting to reattach his fingers through surgery.
Police have detained three minors in connection with the incident.
Devendran’s family alleges the attack was caste-motivated, stemming from a Kabaddi match where he defeated a team of caste Hindus. “Three men from the Thevar community attacked him. This is a caste-related crime,” said Thanga Ganesh.
His uncle, Suresh, demanded justice, alleging that the attackers were encouraged by outside forces. “We are from the SC (Scheduled Caste) community, and nobody wants us to succeed,” he said.
