Justice first, votes later: Dalit hamlet in Vengaivayal boycotts Tamil Nadu polls after human faeces found in drinking water tank in 2022

Anger and distrust kept voters away in Vengaivayal as residents raised black flags and refused to step out on polling day. Villagers say justice remains denied in the 2022 water contamination case and are demanding a fresh, fair investigation.

The small village of Vengaivayal woke up on election day not with excitement, but with black flags. While most of Tamil Nadu stepped out to vote on April 23, 2026, this Scheduled Caste hamlet chose to stay away from polling booths, not out of apathy, but out of anger that has been building for years.

Just a few kilometres away, life looked very different. In neighbouring Irayur, people who had earlier threatened to boycott the election quietly changed their minds and turned up to vote after rounds of negotiations. But in Vengaivayal, the mood remained stiff, emotional, and unshaken.

This is not just about an election. It is about a wound that villagers say has not healed since 2022.

A protest rooted in pain and distrust

Boycott in Vengaivayal goes back to an incident in December 2022. Residents say their drinking water supplied through an overhead tank was deliberately contaminated with human faeces. The incident caused outrage across the state and raised serious questions about caste discrimination and safety.

Even today, that memory lingers.

Villagers claim the investigation has failed them. The case is being handled by the CB-CID, but many residents believe the real culprits are still free. Instead, they say, suspicion has unfairly fallen on the very people who suffered.

As a mark of protest, black flags were raised across the hamlet. Streets that would usually see voters lining up remained empty. The boycott, villagers say, is their way of demanding accountability and dignity.

Peace talks work next door, but not here

In the weeks leading up to polling day, tensions had been high between communities in the region. Protests were held, and the atmosphere was uneasy. District officials and police stepped in holding multiple rounds of peace talks to calm situation.

Their efforts saw some success but not everywhere.

In Irayur, residents who had earlier planned to boycott elections eventually agreed to vote. The administration’s outreach appeared to have eased tensions there.

But in Vengaivayal, the response was different.

Officials from Keeranur invited villagers for a peace committee meeting. The residents attended and clearly stated their position. They said they would not participate in the election until their core demand is met: a fresh and fair investigation.

Their stand remained unchanged even after the meeting. For them, voting without justice would mean accepting what they see as a flawed process.

Wider boycott, demands, and official version

The protest is not limited to one hamlet. In parts of Muttukadu panchayat under Kulathur taluk, both Dalits and caste Hindus have joined the boycott by citing the same issue: lack of justice in the Vengaivayal case.

Meanwhile in Irayur, residents from caste Hindu communities have their own demands. They are not questioning the investigation in the same way, but they are unhappy with the lack of action. Villagers say that even though suspects have been identified, no arrests have been made.

At the entrance of the village, banners have been put up demanding immediate arrests.

Apart from the case, Irayur residents also raised everyday issues like poor road connectivity between Kavery Nagar and the village via Vellanur and Konjampatti, and lack of proper bus services. For them, the election is also about basic infrastructure.

On the other hand, the CB-CID has presented a different picture. According to investigators, three individuals (J Muraliraja, B Sudharshan, K Muthukrishnan) were allegedly involved in the contamination incident. The motive, they say, was personal enmity linked to the dismissal of a tank operator, not caste-based hatred.

The case earlier under SC/ST Special Court was transferred in February 2025 to Judicial Magistrate Court-II in Pudukkottai.

But for people of Vengaivayal, these official explanations have not brought closure.

Courtesy : The Statesman

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