(Image source from: The News Minute)
Thousands from across Telugu states flocked in the streets of Miryalguda in Telangana on Sunday for the funeral procession of Pranay Perumalla amid cries of "Pranay Amar Rahe - Jai Bhim!."
The town bore witness to Dalit rage and grief, and hundreds of youths were part of the funeral procession that commenced from Pranay's home in Muthireddy Kunta and went around the town before the funeral took place at the Roman Catholic burial ground near his house.
The 24-year-old Pranay was murdered on September 14 outside Miryalaguda Jyothi Hospital by an unknown assailant in what is alleged to be a caste killing, for wedding Amrutha, a woman from a forward caste community.
The police department is still probing the case.
Thousands of youth gathered to express their solidarity and demanding justice.
(Image source from: The News Minute)
"How many times will these atrocities take place, how many should be laid rest," chanted one youngster, as his comrades lent their voice to the chorus. The funeral was attended by those from other faiths too, who expressed their solidarity for the Dalit cause.
The crowd, which consisted of a large number of youngsters, were likewise seen actively using social media and broadcasting proceedings with the assist of Facebook lives. "Let the world see the ugly face of casteism," said one youngster.
Students from Kakatiya and Osmania University, Dalits, human rights activists were all in attendance, and so were the residents of Miryalaguda, who are thus far to recover from the brazen murder. Apart from sadness, there was ire, and a resolve to guarantee that more such caste crimes do not occur.
"Irrespective of caste, people have been shaken by the brutal murder of Pranay. He will go down in the pages of the atrocious caste history of the country," said Gorati Venkanna, a poet, singer, and activist.
"I never expected this to happen. I don't have words. I feel kind of empty inside," said Mohammad Ali, who was part of the procession and lived in the same neighborhood as Pranay.
Miryalaguda, a town which sees agricultural and trade activities, is located in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. The locality where Pranay hailed from is home to those chiefly from the SC (Scheduled Castes) community.
By Sowmya Sangam
