Justice on Paper, Caste in Power: Tamil Nadu’s Unfinished Fight Against Casteism

Chennai- Even though Tamil Nadu does not conventionally use caste surnames, it remains deeply entrenched in casteism. While the state often takes pride in its high Human Development Index (HDI) and claims of social justice movements, incidents like the gruesome murder of Gokulraj in 2015 serve as a grim reminder of the caste hierarchy that continues to plague society.

Gokulraj, a Dalit engineering graduate from Salem Omalur, was brutally murdered on June 23, 2015. His only crime? Talking to Swathi, a woman from a dominant caste, at the Ardhanareeswarar Temple in Tiruchengode. Although Gokulraj and Swathi were merely college mates and not in a relationship, Yuvraj, the leader of the Theeran Chinnamalai Gounder Peravai, and his men abducted Gokulraj. With no personal relationship with Swathi, Yuvraj's motive was not personal vengeance but a demonstration of caste hegemony. Gokulraj was subjected to unspeakable torture, beheaded, and his body discarded on railway tracks to simulate a suicide — a public message of caste supremacy.

Despite the conviction of Yuvraj and 10 others in 2022, their brazen celebration and the hero-worship he receives from caste fanatics upon his parole only amplify the rot within the social fabric. Viral videos of Yuvraj, smiling with his gang, further expose how caste pride overrides justice in Tamil Nadu. The disturbing normalcy of these incidents highlights the failure of both legal institutions and society to address caste violence effectively.

The Menace of Dishonour Killings and Caste Hegemony

Gokulraj’s murder is a grim reminder of how casteist mindsets vehemently oppose inter-caste relationships to uphold caste hegemony. Tamil Nadu has seen a spate of honour killings, where dominant caste families murder their own kin or their partners for transgressing caste boundaries. One of the most notorious cases is the 2016 murder of Sankar, a Dalit man who married Kausalya, a woman from the Thevar caste. Sankar was hacked to death in broad daylight in Udumalpet, orchestrated by Kausalya’s own family to restore their so-called caste honour.

Unlike personal revenge killings, Gokulraj's murder had no personal motivation. Yuvraj and his accomplices wanted to send a larger societal message that any Dalit man interacting with a dominant caste woman would face the most brutal consequences. This was not merely an act of violence but a public spectacle to uphold caste dominance and dissuade inter-caste relationships.

These cases are not isolated incidents but a manifestation of systemic caste violence. Honour killings and murders like Gokulraj’s are tools used to reinforce caste dominance and ensure compliance with regressive norms. Patriarchal notions of family honour are closely tied to caste purity, making inter-caste relationships a direct threat to the caste hierarchy. Tamil Nadu’s claim to social progress is undermined by the continued prevalence of such heinous crimes.

Parallels Across India: Bilkis Bano and Asifa Bano

This societal endorsement of caste and communal violence is not exclusive to Tamil Nadu. In Gujarat, the convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape and mass murder case during the 2002 Godhra riots were garlanded upon their release. Similarly, in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, rallies were held in defense of the accused in the rape and murder of Asifa Bano, an eight-year-old Muslim girl. These acts of collective glorification serve as a chilling reminder that violence rooted in caste and religious supremacy continues to enjoy impunity.

The justice system in these cases might have delivered verdicts, but the social response reveals the entrenched bigotry that pervades our society. Convicted criminals are paraded as heroes, and their caste pride is amplified rather than condemned. The message is clear: caste-based and communal violence is not only tolerated but celebrated.

Tamil Nadu: Developed, Not Progressive

While Tamil Nadu consistently ranks high in literacy, healthcare, and infrastructure, it cannot claim moral progress while caste pride dictates its social order. The absence of caste surnames has not dismantled caste structures; it has merely masked them. Inter-caste relationships, like the one suspected between Gokulraj and Swathi, are met with brutal retribution, often sanctioned by caste panchayats and political entities.

Furthermore, the state’s political landscape is not devoid of caste influence. Caste-based organizations continue to wield power, reinforcing regressive ideologies. The dominance of certain caste groups in local politics and law enforcement creates an environment where perpetrators of caste crimes are emboldened. Tamil Nadu’s apparent development, therefore, exists in stark contrast to its caste reality.

The Judiciary's Role and the Limits of Justice

The judiciary’s conviction of Yuvraj and his associates was a hard-fought battle, thanks to the relentless pursuit of justice by Gokulraj's mother, Chitra, and lawyer Mohanraj. However, true justice remains elusive as long as casteist pride is normalized. The smiling faces of convicted murderers, the glorification of rapists, and the indifference of society are far more potent than any judicial sentence.

In a society where caste supremacy is celebrated, even the most stringent legal punishments fail to deter similar crimes. The law can punish individuals, but it cannot erase the systemic acceptance of caste-based violence. Until the social psyche transforms, justice will remain performative and partial.

The Way Forward: Dismantling the Caste Hierarchy

Tamil Nadu must confront its caste reality. Stripping away caste surnames is not enough. The state needs a radical shift in its social consciousness. Schools, communities, and political institutions must actively challenge caste-based discrimination. Social reform movements need rejuvenation to dismantle the invisible walls that divide society.

The recommendations of the Justice K. Chandru Committee report, which suggested implementing measures in schools to end caste discrimination, should be urgently acted upon. Caste-based education programs should be integrated into school curriculums to unlearn biases from a young age. Law enforcement and judicial systems need to ensure swift and unbiased action against caste crimes. Civil society must create platforms that empower marginalized voices and amplify their experiences. Politicians must be held accountable for their casteist rhetoric and affiliations.

Moreover, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception. Sensationalizing caste crimes without addressing their systemic roots perpetuates stereotypes and trivializes the suffering of victims. Responsible reporting and conscious representation can challenge the normalization of caste violence.

Until then, Tamil Nadu may remain a developed state, but it will never be a progressive one. And as long as casteism finds acceptance, justice will remain a distant dream for families like Gokulraj's, Bilkis Bano's, and Asifa Bano's. Real progress demands the courage to confront the uncomfortable truths of caste violence and dismantle the systems that sustain it. Only then can Tamil Nadu truly claim to be a beacon of justice and equality.