News Brief
Tamil Nadu: Custodial Death Of Temple Security Guard In Sivaganga Sparks Protests And Silence From Usual Critics
Map of Tamil Nadu.
A fresh storm is brewing in Tamil Nadu after the custodial death of 27 year-old Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard from Sivaganga district, who died following police interrogation on Saturday (28 June).
Six policemen have since been suspended, while the public anger continues to simmer, The Hindu reported.
Ajith Kumar, employed at the famed Madapuram Badrakaliamman Temple, was initially questioned and released on Friday in connection with the theft of gold jewellery from a devotee’s car.
However, a special police team later detained him again for further interrogation. During this second round, Ajith Kumar allegedly complained of discomfort and was taken to hospital, where he was declared “brought dead.”
Superintendent of Police Ashish Rawat confirmed the suspension of the six officers identified as Prabhu, Kannan, Sankara Manikandan, Raja, Anand, and Ramachandran.
Rawat assured the villagers who staged protests demanding justice, compensation, and a government job for Ajith Kumar’s family that a fair investigation will be conducted.
Yet what stands out starkly in the aftermath is the silence of prominent public figures who once led national outrage over similar incidents notably the high-profile custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Bennix in 2020 under a previous government.
Celebrities like actor Suriya, who made a film (Jai Bhim) centred on custodial brutality and vocally condemned the earlier deaths, have remained publicly silent about Ajith Kumar’s fate under the DMK’s watch.
Also noticeable is the quieter coverage from parts of the Dravidian media, which had previously filled headlines and primetime news with heated debates during the Sathankulam custodial deaths.
As investigations continue under Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, questions linger not only about police conduct but also about selective outrage in Tamil Nadu’s public discourse.
