Two SC men fell at the feet of MBC villagers after an argument over the burial of a 90-year-old man at the Erode graveyard

According to the district police, the burial was finally carried out under the protection of the police and the tax office | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Allegations of caste discrimination have surfaced in Perumbali village of Madathupalayam panchayat near Perundurai in Erode district after two members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community allegedly fell at the feet of members of the Most Backward Caste (BC) community amid opposition to the burial of a deceased man in a communal graveyard.

More than 100 people belonging to the SC community live in the village. Due to opposition from members of the dominant MBC community, they faced problems in burying their dead in the local graveyard and had to take the bodies to Thingalur, about five kilometers away. After a survey, the Perundurai Tahsildar declared the burial grounds common to all communities.

SC members threatened

On October 5, Chenni, a 90-year-old resident belonging to the SC community, died of age-related ailments. When members of the SC community took his body to the cemetery, they reportedly faced opposition from members of the MBC community, leading to an altercation.

According to the district police, the funeral was conducted under the protection of the police and the revenue office. During the altercation between the members of the two communities, members of the SC community were allegedly threatened and told not to approach the other community for any job in future. Subsequently, two members of the SC community fell at the feet of members of the MBC community.

Case registered

Police said a case was registered at Thingalur police station on Thursday (October 8, 2026) night based on a complaint lodged by the revenue inspector of Perundurai. In connection with the incident, provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked against two persons. An investigation was underway.

The incident causes outrage

A video of the incident, including the alleged humiliation of members of the SC community, went viral on social media, prompting condemnation and demands for action against those responsible.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) State Western Zone Coordinator P. Eswaran alleged that members of the BC community violated the rights of the SC people by opposing their use of the communal burial ground. He said the alleged threat that they would be denied jobs if they used the graveyard amounted to caste oppression. He also condemned the alleged exploitation of their economic vulnerability to fall at the feet of members of the other community.

Mr. Eswaran questioned the role of the police and finance department officials present at the spot and demanded action against those who opposed the funeral and the officials who allegedly failed to prevent the humiliation.

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 – 9 Oct 2026 13:22 IST