CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam blamed two major political parties in Tamil Nadu for keeping caste system intact by fielding candidates according to the regions’ caste strength and population.
Speaking at an event titled ‘Will Tamil Nadu stand united against honour killings?’ organised by forum ‘Save the Nation,’ here on Friday, he said the process of solidifying caste feelings and system through electoral politics has been in progress for several years.
Even for implementing a separate Act to deal with crimes related to honour killings, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has maintained a contrary stand when his party was in opposition and when in power, he added.
“When one of our MLAs V.P. Nagaimaali raised the need for an exclusive Act in an Assembly session, Mr. Stalin refused the need claiming that the existing laws were enough to address the issue,” Mr. Shanmugam recalled.
The political parties who were vocal about the need for an Act have also conveyed to the CM about the prevailing conducive environment for enacting such an Act, he noted.
“Though a few caste outfits, parties and individuals would oppose the move, the government should understand that the outfits are not the representatives of the people of the State,” he stated.
Pointing out the existing laws for prohibition of social customs like child marriage and Sati, he said that though the laws were initially opposed by even people like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, over the years, the laws gained momentum to completely eradicate such evil practices.
Similarly, the State government, notwithstanding the opposition from a section of the people, should bring in a law to handle crimes related to honour.
Bringing out the need for preventive measures too, Mr. Shanmugam recalling his recent visit to Tirunelveli when he learned of the domination of a particular so-called upper caste people in all higher rungs of government, said it was essential to make sure the people in power did not influence the functioning of the government system.
“Even district-wise Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes committees headed by District Collector are not fulfilling their duties of conducting periodical meetings. When the meetings address the prime issues plaguing the districts many of the major crimes would be prevented from happening,” he stated.
Similarly, WhatsApp caste groups among police personnel and even teachers rupture the society where it actually should be reforming, he added.
A. Kathir, director, Madurai-based NGO Evidence, asserted that the honour killings need not necessarily be inter-caste.
“Many crimes have happened between same communities due to economical and other reasons. So, more angles to such crimes be analysed to determine an offence as an honour crime,” he added.
In addition to civil society and human rights organisations, the role of a State was indispensable in curbing caste-motivated crimes, he said.
“Only when a State stands with the victim, the crime could be proved, and the accused be held accountable,” he noted.
Applauding the announcement of Mr. Shanmugam in welcoming inter-caste couples to CPI(M) offices for marriage and protection, Mr. Kathir said if the State had done its role properly by following the guidelines issued by the Madras High Court in Sathyavahini vs The State of Tamil Nadu case in 2018, such announcements would have been unnecessary.
“As per the guidelines a protection centre should be opened in every district to extend protection to inter-caste couples from their family, relatives and the society,” he added. None of them has been implemented till now, he alleged.
The exclusive Act demanded for honour killings should not be conceived as something against a particular community, but a protection from all forms of crimes staged in the name of honour, he said.
Published – August 29, 2025 09:16 pm IST
