FOR Kausalya, a battle has been won but the war lies ahead. The young woman from Tamil Nadu has scored a legal victory in her fight for justice for her slain husband, but she is determined to carry forward her battle against caste-based violence and honor killings.

Kausalya, in her early 20s, and her husband V Sankar came under a mercenary attack in Udumalpet town in Tamil Nadu’s Tirupur district in March 2016 for their inter-caste marriage. While Kausalya survived the attack, perpetrated by her father, Sankar succumbed to his injuries. Sankar was a Dalit and Kausalya belonged to an upper caste, the Thevar community.

The broad-daylight attack, which was captured on camera and flashed across TV channels, had initially left Kausalya depressed and prone to suicidal tendencies.

Subsequently, came her transformation from a victim to a crusader, albeit with a little help from others. 

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and Mr. Kathir of Madurai-based Evidence Trust became her counsellors. The All India Insurance Employees’ Association (AIIEA) came forward to sponsor her education. Over the time, Kausalya became aware of the history and depth of caste system in India and started reading the works of B R Ambedkar, Periyar E V Ramasamy and other social reformers.

She now runs Sankar Special Coaching Centre in her village to educate young Dalit children about their rights and responsibilities. She also teaches how to play ‘Parai’ -- a drum instrument socially identified with the Dalit community which she learnt how to play after her husband’s killing.

It all began in July 2015 when Kausalya and Sankar were studying in an engineering college. Upon learning of their love affair, Kausalya’s family decided to marry her off to a groom from their own caste. Hence, the lovers were forced to marry immediately in a temple in Palani. After the marriage, the couple went to the Palani police station and reported that they apprehend threat from Kausalya’s family and relatives. The police, in turn, called Kausalya’s parents and advised them not to disturb the couple and allow them to lead a peaceful life.

But Kausalya’s family tried many tricks to separate the two and win over her to their side. Her family lured her back through her maternal uncle. Sankar filed a complaint, thereupon, the parents were forced to bring back Kausalya and the couple were re-united. Enraged further, a plot was hatched to finish off the couple altogether.

Eight months into their marriage, the couple went to Udumalpet for shopping on March 13, 2016 and were about to catch a bus to Sankar’s village when a group of mercenaries attacked the couple around 2 pm, killing Sankar and grievously injuring Kausalya.  

On December 12, 2017, Tirupur District Sessions Court judge Alamelu Natarajan sentenced Kausalya’s father Chinnasamy and five other accused to death for the killing of Sankar. One more accused was awarded life imprisonment, another was sentenced to five years in prison. The court also imposed penalty on the convicts, which will be distributed equally between Kausalya and Sankar’s father.

The court, however, acquitted Kausalya’s mother Annalakshmi, maternal uncle Pandi Durai, and her relative Prasanna.

Besides fighting the case in the court, Kausalya immersed herself in propagating the need for eradication of caste system in India and demanded dedicated law for stopping caste-based crimes against couples belonging to different castes.

After the verdict was delivered by the trial court, Kausalya reiterated her resolve to continue her fight to get justice for her husband. She will appeal against the acquittals of her mother, maternal uncle and relative.

Kausalya’s ultimate goal – There should not be another Sankar.