Mon Aug 25 20:17:05 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**CPI(M) Offers Party Offices for Inter-Caste Marriages Amid Rising Caste Killings in Tamil Nadu**
Chennai, August 26, 2025 – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in Tamil Nadu has announced a new initiative to support inter-caste couples facing opposition from their families: offering party offices as safe venues for their marriages. The move comes in response to a disturbing rise in caste-related violence and “honour killings” across the state.
CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam made the announcement at a meeting in Chennai addressing the issue of caste killings. He cited an incident in Tirunelveli where the party office was vandalized by relatives of a bride after an inter-caste marriage was conducted there. Despite the incident, Mr. Shanmugam affirmed the party’s commitment to supporting such unions, stating, “We continue to support inter-caste marriages. Progressive forces exist in all communities and we must identify and organise them. Only then can we form a united front against casteist elements.”
Mr. Shanmugam emphasized the need for a special law to deal with caste killings, recalling a previous bill introduced in 2015 that was ultimately defeated. He highlighted the critical problem of misunderstandings between intermediate communities and Scheduled Castes, which often leads to violence against young couples. He, along with CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, have urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to enact a law to prevent such killings.
“We explained the situation to the Chief Minister for 30 minutes and felt he was in favour of our demand. He should bring in the legislation in the next Assembly session,” Mr. Shanmugam stated.
He further claimed that Tirunelveli district alone had witnessed 240 such murders in the past year, a situation he described as “totally out of control.” He expressed optimism that growing public support for a law would prompt the government to take immediate action.
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