Not an “Honour” Killing, Pranay a Victim of Caste Terrorism

Four days after the gruesome murder of Pranay, a Dalit youth in Muthireddy Kunta in Telangana’s Nalgonda district, several activists and well-wishers continue to throng his residence, extending solidarity to his wife, Amrutha Varshini.

Twenty-four-year-old Pranay Perumalla, belonging to the SC Mala community, was hacked to death on Friday in broad daylight. The gruesome act was caught on CCTV, where an assailant identified as Subash Sharma, a native of Bihar pulled out a machete and killed Pranay outside a private hospital in Miryalaguda. The couple, along with Pranay’s mother Premalatha, had visited the hospital for a regular check-up with a gynaecologist, as Amrutha is pregnant. 

Nalgonda SP A V Ranganath has affirmed that it was a caste killing, plotted by the girl’s father T Maruthi Rao, a realtor-businessman with strong political connections in Miryalaguda. Rao vehemently opposed their marriage, as Pranay was from a lower caste. Rao belonged to Komati community (Vaishyas). Several political leaders like Vemula Veeresham from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Kareem from the Congress have allegedly conspired in the crime. Police have arrested Kareem, and the party has expelled him.

Though Ranganath has categorically stated that it was a caste-based violence to different media channels, Telugu media continued to call it an “honour killing”, which was strongly opposed by several Dalit intellectuals and activists, as the term “honour” gives a certain legitimacy to the murder. Venting his anger for using the narrative “honour killing”, while it was evidently a caste killing, Akunuri Murali, a Dalit IAS officer, who visited Pranay’s home on Tuesday said, “This media is only class, caste and business-based. It is caste arrogance, not honour killing.”

Several other Dalit activists took to social media to express their opposition to the media’s narrative.  “This murder, termed ‘honour killing’ by casteist and communal elements, is another proof of how deep and cruel the caste system is. It reminds us that nothing has changed in the social fabric of this country and as long as the caste system continues, Dalits need protection. This ghastly broad daylight murder deserves outright condemnation by all sections of society,” Jayaraju Yeggoni, a senior advocate and a Dalit activist, told The News Minute.

Though conveniently ignored by the national media, the murder of Pranay shook the conscience of the society in Telangana. Protests and candle light vigils condemning the caste violence were held at several places. Bahujan academician, Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd said, “After Rohit Vemula, Pranay has triggered a discussion about caste atrocities. A caste terrorist has killed Pranay. Caste terrorism should end.” 

While there was overwhelming support for and solidarity with Amrutha, the casteist elements opened their fangs and a few went to the extent of justifying the killing, while a few others argued if Pranay was a Dalit indeed, since Pranay’s family had converted to Christianity. ‘Justice for Pranay’— a Facebook page created by Amrutha seeking justice for her husband has many such hate comments denying Pranay a Dalit identity — a denial late Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula and his family faces till date.  

Sujatha Surepally, a Dalit activist and the convenor of Bahujan Resistance Forum said, “In India you cannot escape caste even if you convert to a different faith, and get out of the Hindu fold, the discrimination will continue irrespective of your faith.” 

The strong will of Amrutha to fight against caste discrimination, which claimed her husband’s life has earned her the title of ‘India’s Malala’. Bahujan writer, Kancha Ilaiah said that akin to Malala who defied the threats in Pakistan, and fought them, Amrutha also has fought with ‘casteist terrorists.’ Ilaiah, who is part of T-MASS (Telagana Mass and Social Organisation) — an organisation comprising Ambedkarites and Marxists — said that they will make it a political issue. He further said that Amrutha should be elected unopposed from Miryalaguda.

Echoing the demand, Tammineni Veerabhadram, Telangana CPI (M) secretary, said, “Political parties from across the spectrum should respond to this issue, and elect Amrutha unanimously.”

On Sunday, the streets of Muthireddy Kunta in Miryalaguda resonated with slogans of ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Justice for Pranay’ shouted by the protesters who came to extend solidarity and pay final respects to Pranay.

About Pranay and Amrutha

Pranay Perumalla and Amrutha Varshini knew each other since Class IX. Amrutha was a year junior to Pranay. Maruthi Rao, Amrutha’s father, got to know about their relationship and demanded that the school principal remove him for the school. 

“A few days before Pranay’s board exams, Pranay was asked to not to come to the school. This completely devastated us. Later, Pranay gave his exams and passed 10th standard. Subsequently, he was admitted to a corporate college in Hyderabad to pursue intermediate,” said Premalatha, Pranay’s mother, who was accompanying his son and daughter on the ill-fated day.

Despite Rao’s objections, the couple continued to be in a relationship. Amrutha alleged that her father had threatened her of dire consequences if they don’t end the relationship. Pranay’s father, Balaswamy too agreed with the allegation. He said, “Kareem, the local Congress leader had threatened us on numerous occasions.”

However, defying all the opposition and threats, the couple eloped and got married on January 30 this year in Hyderabad at Arya Samaj as per Hindu Marriage Act. As assumed, Rao filed a kidnap case against Pranay. The police brought the couple to Miryalaguda Town-1 police station for investigation, where Amrutha stated she was an adult, and she got married at her own will.

The couple had sought protection from the police urging with Hyderabad Range Inspector General of Police, Stephen Ravindra. The IG reportedly had directed the Nalgonda District Superintendent to take suitable action. “Very soon after assuming charge, I called Maruthi Rao and counselled him. He said that he would not do any harm to his daughter,” said Ranganath. Rao was counselled several times by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Srinivas, police said. 

Meanwhile, the Nalgonda police have arrested seven accused including Maruthi Rao (52), Subash Kumar alias Sharma (32), Asgar Ali (40), Md Abdul Bhari (38), Abdul Kareem (49), Thirunagaru Sravan (45), and Samudrala Shiva (31) - Mauthi Rao's driver, under section 302 read with 34 IPC, 120 (b), 109 IPC, and section 3 (2) (V) SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

(The writer is an independent journalist based in Telangana)