BSP to stage indefinite hunger strike demanding delay in action in Perumbali SC man burial case

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will launch an indefinite hunger strike at Thingalur Four Roads from 10 a.m. on October 19, demanding the arrest of all six persons accused in the Perumbali caste atrocity case and action against officials who allegedly failed to prevent the incident.

In a statement, P. Eswaran, State Coordinator of the BSP’s Western Zone, alleged that the Erode District Collector and the Superintendent of Police had failed to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Though a case had been registered against six persons under the Act, the accused had not been arrested, Mr. Eswaran alleged. The BSP is also demanding action against officials who were present at the scene. Mr. Eswaran alleged that the party had lodged a separate complaint against the officials, but the police had yet to register an FIR on it.

He further alleged that the affected residents of Perumbali village in Madathupalayam panchayat near Perundurai had been unable to earn their livelihood for 10 days and were being denied daily-wage work on farms in the area. He called for immediate intervention by the Revenue Department to address their grievances and help them resume work.

Mr. Eswaran said the protest was intended to secure justice for the affected community, ensure accountability among officials, and uphold the dignity and self-respect of Scheduled Caste residents. He appealed to party functionaries, social activists, and members of the public to participate in the agitation.

The incident occurred on October 5, when members of a Backward Class community allegedly objected to the burial of Chenni, 90, a Scheduled Caste man, at a common burial ground in Perumbali. During the confrontation, two Scheduled Caste men reportedly fell at the feet of members of the other community. A case was registered against six persons under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Communities has directed the Erode Collector and the Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report on the incident by October 30, 2026.