Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit on Tuesday staged a hunger strike, demanding justice for the murder of 29-year-old Lance Naik Prabhu, of which a functionary of the state-governing Drvaida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is currently the main suspect.
The party is also seeking action for an attack on the residence of its Scheduled Castes (SC) wing chief "Tada" Periyasamy.
Later on Tuesday, the party’s state unit chief K. Annamalai is expected to lead a peaceful candle march from the Omandurar government hospital on the arterial Anna Salai, concluding at the War Memorial near the marina beach.
What is Known About Soldier's Death in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu state police have already arrested the main accused in the case, among them are DMK Councilor Chinnasamy and his son Rajapandi, along with eight other people.
According to media reports, an argument sparked between Chinnasamy and Prabhu on February 8, 2023 when the latter was washing clothes along with his brother at a water tank.
The politician questioned both of the brothers for doing so and argued whether it was right to use drinking water to wash clothes. As the scuffle escalated, the DMK councilor along with his son and aides, allegedly attacked Prabhu and his brother.
Badly injured, Prabhu was rushed to the hospital in Hossur, but succumbed to his injuries on February 15.
The incident triggered massive uproar in the state, with the governing DMK facing criticism on all sides.
The investigation is ongoing.