CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state secretary P. Shanmugam on Monday (August 25) announced that the party would open its offices across the state for inter-caste couples facing resistance from their families to conduct marriages.

Speaking at a meeting in Chennai against caste killings, he said the party was determined to stand by progressive values despite opposition.

“We conducted a marriage in our office in Tirunelveli, and the bride’s relatives ransacked the office. But 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,” Shanmugam was quoted by The Hindu as saying.

Shanmugam recalled that in 2015, former CPI(M) Legislative Party leader A. Soundararajan had introduced a Bill in the Tamil Nadu Assembly seeking a special law to deal with caste killings, but it was defeated.

“There is a misunderstanding between intermediate communities and Scheduled Castes, which has often resulted in the killing of young couples. A law must be enacted to prevent honour killings done in the name of caste pride,” he said.

The CPI(M) leader added that he, along with CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan and VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, had already met Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to press for such legislation.

“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,” he said.

Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Shanmugam claimed that Tirunelveli district alone had recorded 240 murders in a single year linked to caste-based violence.

Calling the situation “totally out of control,” he stressed that growing public opinion was now in favour of a strong law.

“Now, there is growing public support for a law, and the government should seize the opportunity,” he asserted, the paper reported.