A violent clash erupted between youths from the Mutharaiyar – Backward Class (MBC) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities in Vadakadu village, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, on Monday. The dispute, which started as a verbal argument at a petrol station, escalated into a physical altercation, leading to property damage, including the burning of a Dalit family’s hut.
The altercation began when intoxicated youths from both communities argued over the order in which they would fuel their vehicles. The situation escalated as tensions grew, with individuals from both sides following each other to their respective homes. In the ensuing chaos, a hut belonging to a Dalit family was set on fire, along with a two-wheeler. Additionally, a government bus had its windows smashed in the aftermath of the clash.
Fourteen individuals from both communities have been arrested, and those injured in the violence are receiving medical treatment at local hospitals. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
A video of the altercation spread rapidly on social media, intensifying communal tensions in the region. The police have urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, warning that it could further fragment the social fabric of the community. Investigations are ongoing, and law enforcement is focused on restoring peace and order in the area.
