Ground Report: Tamil Nadu youth Vairamuthu brutally murdered in Mayiladuthurai over inter-caste love

A decade-long love story ended in tragedy in Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu, where 28-year-old Dalit youth K Vairamuthu was brutally murdered in a caste honour killing.

His girlfriend Malini’s family, including her mother, brothers, and relatives, allegedly conspired and attacked him just 200 metres from his home on the night of 15 September.

Despite repeated threats and a false complaint filed earlier, no preventive action was taken, and the murder was carried out in a dark street with no CCTV surveillance.

Activists, including those from CPI(M), DYFI, VCK, and the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front, staged protests, after which the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act was added to the case.

This ground report explores the chain of events leading to the killing, the police lapses, and the growing demand for a special law in Tamil Nadu to put an end to caste-based honour killings