A violent altercation erupted at the Government Higher Secondary School in Valliyoor, Tamil Nadu, resulting in injuries to two students on Tuesday, July 30. The conflict, which stemmed from derogatory graffiti written on a toilet wall, highlighted ongoing tensions between students from the Backward Class (BC) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.
The trouble began when one group of students inscribed their caste names on a toilet wall, which another group perceived as provocative and inflammatory. This defamation quickly escalated into a heated exchange of words, and eventually, a physical confrontation ensued. Students from Classes XI and XII were primarily involved, and what started as a verbal spat soon turned into a brawl.
Authorities were quick to respond to the incident. Deputy Superintendent of Police R Yogesh Kumar and his team from the Valliyoor Sub-Division arrived at the school to conduct a thorough investigation.
The incident at Valliyoor is not an isolated one, as caste-related conflicts have been a recurring issue in government schools across the region. Such clashes often reflect deep-seated societal divisions that find their way into educational institutions, disrupting the learning environment and causing harm to students.
In response to the clash, CPM General Secretary K Sriram called for the Tamil Nadu government to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents. He suggested the formation of district, taluk, and school-level committees dedicated to promoting social harmony and addressing caste-related issues.
The recent clash at Government Higher Secondary School serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by caste-based discrimination and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.