More than 100 members of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and progressive organisations staged a protest in Thingalur near Erode on Monday (October 12, 2026), demanding action against officials over the alleged humiliation of Scheduled Caste people during a dispute over a burial in Perumbali village. The protesters also urged the authorities to declare Thingalur and Madathupalayam village panchayats areas affected by untouchability.

Chenni, 90, died of age-related ailments on October 5. When his family sought to bury his body in the village’s common burial ground, members of Backward Community allegedly objected to the burial, as the deceased belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. The protesters alleged that members of the Scheduled Caste community were made to fall at the feet of others even as police and Revenue Department officials were present at the spot. A case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against seven persons.

At Monday’s protest, the participants demanded that officials be held accountable under the Act for their alleged failure to prevent the humiliation. They also sought an on-site inquiry by representatives of the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the Collector, and the Superintendent of Police.

Bahujan Samaj Party State coordinator for the western zone P. Eswaran, was among those who addressed the protest.

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.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that caste discrimination could be eradicated only through the spread of rational thought and scientific temper, and called for strengthening social harmony in a diverse society.

Speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed Sri Bhojalingeshwara temple at Sugur (N) village in Chittapur taluk, Kalaburagi district, the Chief Minister said the teachings of Bhojalingeshwara emphasised truth, equality and unity among people.