Vadakadu burns: Caste, power and the price of asking for temple rights

In Vadakadu village in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, a temple festival erupted into large-scale caste violence, leaving dozens of Dalit homes damaged.

Members of the dominant Mutharaiyar community allegedly launched a violent attack on the Scheduled Caste area after a long-standing dispute over temple rights escalated.

Eyewitnesses recount chilling scenes of mob violence, police inaction, and systemic bias. This ground report reveals the human toll of caste hatred and political apathy.