The hands of 48 year old R. Ramalingam, from Thirubhuvanam, (Kumbakonam district) a former PMK functionary, were cut off by unidentified gang on tuesday. He lost his life in Tanjore Medical College Hospital due to heavy blood loss the next day. A viral video of Ramalingam arguing with members of a certain Islamic outfit has been making rounds in all social media platforms and has gone viral after his death. In this footage, Ramalingam is seen voicing his views against the proselytization attempts by members of a radical Islamic organisation. He is seen applying sacred ash on the forehead of one the members and snatching his kufi cap and wearing it also stating that the Hindus were more tolerant to practices of Muslim but it wasn’t so the other way.

This action of Ramalingam is alleged to be a major provocation for his murder.

S J Umarkayam, spokesperson for Islamic Tamilar Munnani told The Covai Post, that this incident is highly condemnable and an inhumane act. He demanded a proper and truthful investigation on this. “But a few Hindu radical outfits are trying to intervene and side-track police investigation for their own political agenda. Whenever any crime is associated with Islam, the entire community feels insecure”, he lamented.

The Covai Post also spoke to Arjun Sampath, President of Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK). He said that a few radical Islamic outfits were aggressively trying to convert Dalits to Islam in various parts of South India. These organisations have been associated with similar kind of crimes, unleashing violence on those who try to question their separatist agenda, he said. Sampath also added that HMK party cadres in Kumbakonam region, immediately visited Ramalingam’s family after the incident and staged a protest along with general public demanding immediate justice for Ramalingam’s murder.

Arjun Sampath stated that HMK will stand with the family of the deceased and seek justice for this cold-blooded crime. He mentioned that HMK will stage a protest today in Kumbakonam requesting the case to be handed over to Crime-Brance Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) for fair investigation and also demanded one crore compensation for the family of deceased, from the Government. He also said that a demonstration has been scheduled by HMK along with Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) on Monday in Thirubhuvanam, (the native of the deceased) reiterating the same conditions.

It is to be noted that H. Raja, leader of Bharatiya Janatha Party has visited the Ramalingam’s family today.

Five men allegedly belonging to Popular Front of India, has been arrested by Kumbakonam police in connection with Ramalingam’s murder case.