The brutal murder of Kavin, a young IT professional, has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu and World, reigniting the debate on caste-based violence and honour killings in the Tamil Nadu state.
Kavin, who had returned to his hometown on leave, was hacked to death last week in what police are investigating as a caste-based honour killing. The prime accused, Surjith—brother of Kavin’s girlfriend—was arrested soon after the incident. In a shocking development, Surjith’s father, Saravanan, a sub-inspector with the local police, has also been arrested and remanded in custody. Surjith’s mother, who is also a sub-inspector in the police department, has been suspended.
The incident occurred when Surjith allegedly called Kavin out for a conversation and attacked him with a machete. The Palayamkottai police have registered a case and are conducting an in-depth investigation.
According to police sources, Surjith confessed that he murdered Kavin because the latter refused to end his relationship with Surjith’s sister. Kavin and Surjith’s sister had reportedly developed a close bond during their Colleage days, and their inter-caste relationship was allegedly opposed by Surjith and his family.
The Kavin’s Girlfriend has released a powerful video message in the wake of the killing. In the video, she emotionally appeals for justice and respect: “Everyone is talking about many things. But my feelings deserve respect too. Kavin and I were in love, and my parents were aware of our relationship. Please don’t punish my parents—they don’t deserve blame. Only Kavin and I knew the truth about our relationship, and no one else has the right to speak about it.”
Kavin’s relatives staged a protest in his hometown, Arumugamangalam. They held a road blockade at the Mookkani roundabout, demanding the arrest of Surjith’s parents—Saravanan and Krishnakumari. The relatives declared that they would not accept Kavin’s body until their demand was met. As a result, Kavin’s family has refused to claim his body, which remains at the Palayamkottai Government Hospital.
Film directors like Mari Selvaraj and Pa. Ranjith have strongly condemned this honour killing. They have called for a thorough investigation into the incident and demanded that the perpetrators be given appropriate punishment. They also emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that such horrific incidents do not occur in the future.
This incident has once again highlighted the deep-rooted caste divisions that persist in parts of Tamil Nadu. Despite progress in education and technology, such violent crimes continue to claim lives—raising urgent questions about social justice, caste prejudice, and the safety of inter-caste couples in modern India.
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