Caste discrimination during burial of SC man: Commission seeks report from Erode Collector, SP

A row broke out over the funeral of a 90-year-old SC man in perumbali village near perundurai | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Communities has directed the Collector of Erosions and the Superintendent of Police (SP) to submit a detailed report by October 30, 2026 on the alleged caste discrimination during the funeral of a Scheduled Caste (SC) man at Perumbali village near Perundurai.

In a notice issued on Friday (October 9), the Commission said it had taken note of the video footage of the incident published as news reports and circulated on television and social media, as well as petitions submitted by representatives of various organisations.

What happened?

Chenni, a resident of Perumbali, died of age-related ailments on October 5. According to the notification, members of another community, a dominant caste in the village, allegedly protested against the burial of his body in the village’s public graveyard, claiming that a person belonging to a scheduled caste community should not be buried there.

The commission said an argument broke out when relatives of the deceased man claimed that the public cemetery was open to people from all communities. Members of the other community reportedly insisted that they fall at their feet as a condition for the burial to be allowed. Subsequently, two members of the SC community allegedly fell at their feet in the presence of police and revenue officials.

The commission expressed concern over the alleged failure of officials to intervene, saying the incident raised serious human rights concerns. It held that the disruption of the funeral was illegal and that the alleged acts attracted provisions of the Constitution and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The Commission directed the Collector and Superintendent of Police to take appropriate action against the persons involved under the Act and submit a detailed report by October 30. It also sought a report on the disciplinary action taken against police officers and revenue officials who allegedly failed to take precautionary measures during the incident.

Published – October 10, 2026 12:31 PM IST