The office of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Tirunelveli was allegedly vandalised on Friday, and two party workers were attacked by a group opposing the Marxist party's support for a young couple who married outside their caste.
According to police sources, the couple married on June 13 within the premises of the CPI(M) office. The woman belongs to a forward community, while the man is from a Scheduled Caste. On Thursday, the woman's relatives, including an office-bearer and supporters of a caste-based association, barged into the party office, leading to a verbal confrontation with the party workers, according to a report on PTI.
The altercation escalated, resulting in the group assaulting two CPI(M) workers and vandalising the office. The enraged attackers damaged furniture and other items in the office, incensed by the Marxist party's support for the inter-caste marriage.
Strongly condemning the attack, CPI(M) state secretary K. Balakrishnan issued a statement highlighting the ongoing issue of honor killings in Tirunelveli district. He expressed shock at the continuous violence and stated that the party office was attacked because they provided protection to the couple.
Balakrishnan urged the police to take appropriate action against those responsible for the violence and called for protection for the young couple. He explained that the couple had planned to register their marriage at the Sub-Registrar's office in Melappalayam on Friday. However, their attempt was thwarted by the woman's family, prompting them to seek help from the CPI(M).
When the party attempted to facilitate the marriage registration with police permission, a 25-member gang stormed the district committee office. They vandalised the office and assaulted two party workers who tried to intervene. The attackers also frantically searched for the couple, who were not present at the time.
The police have taken some members of the group into custody and are investigating the incident.