BSP to stage indefinite hunger strike condemning delay in action in Perumbali SC man’s burial case

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

In a statement, P. Eswaran, state coordinator of BSP’s western zone, said 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 was registered against six persons under the Act, the accused were not arrested, Mr. Eswaran claimed. The BSP is also demanding action against the officials who were present at the spot. Mr. Eswaran claimed that the party had lodged a separate complaint against the officials, but the police had not yet registered an FIR against it.

He further alleged that the affected residents of Perumbali village in Madathupalayam panchayat near Perundurai were unable to earn their livelihood for 10 days and were denied daily work in the farms in the area. He called for the immediate intervention of the finance department to address their grievances and help them resume work.

Mr. Eswaran said the protest was meant to ensure justice for the affected community, ensure accountability among officials and preserve the dignity and self-respect of Scheduled Caste residents. He called on party functionaries, social activists and the public to participate in the agitation.

The incident took place on October 5 when members of the Most Backward Class community allegedly protested against the burial of Chenni (90), a Scheduled Caste man, at a communal 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 erosion collector and superintendent of police to submit a detailed report on the incident by October 30, 2026.

Editor’s note: This story previously reported that members of the BC community objected to the SC man’s burial. However, the police later clarified that the community was an MBC community. The story has been updated accordingly.

Published – 16 Oct 2026 15:34 IST