On July 13 early morning, 17-year-old girl Srimathi from Periyanesalur village in Cuddalore district was found dead. Her body was found on the premises of Sakthi School, Kallakurichi hostel. The deceased student’s family members and people from the village have been continuously protesting since then. Actress Priya Bhavani Shankar had also demanded justice for Srimathi with a post on Twitter.
This post was shared on Twitter. The post was retweeted more than 3,000 times.
#justiceforsrimathi pic.twitter.com/QBuilRicDW
— Priya BhavaniShankar (@priya_Bshankar) July 18, 2022
Fans of Priya were happy to see her take up the cause. A user congratulated her on being the first celebrity from the Tamil film industry to support this movement.
நன்றி , இந்த சம்பவம் குறித்து முதல் கருத்து தெரிவித்த முதல் செலிப்ரேட்டி…உங்கள் துணிச்சலுக்கு வாழ்த்துகள்…
— அன்பே சிவம் (@anbesivam744) July 18, 2022
Another user applauded her willingness for becoming a part of this initiative. This user said that many other popular actors couldn’t even dare to post a tweet.
சூப்பர் செல்லம்…… கோடி கோடியாக சம்பாதிக்கும் நாய்கள் ஒரு டீவீட் போடகூட நேரமில்லை…
— ARSP (@ARSPKING) July 18, 2022
Despite the praise, many also criticised Priya for sharing Srimathi’s photo. A user wrote that there was no need to share her picture. According to this user, sharing Srimathi’s photo will put her family under unnecessary stress.
உங்கள் ஆதரவிற்கு நன்றி, ஆனால் அந்த குழந்தையின் படத்தை பகிர்ந்து அவர் குடும்பத்திற்கு மன அழுத்தத்தை ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டாம். ஹேஷ்டேக் மட்டும் பகிருங்கள்
— கௌதம் பழனிச்சாமி கவுடர்🌱🌱🌱🖤🤍❤ (@Gowtham96560334) July 18, 2022
A user also condemned Priya for showing fake sympathy. This user wrote that sharing Twitter posts about any movement is just business for celebrities.
5 நாளா கோமால இருந்தியாமா…..
திராவிடியாச அடிச்ச அடில பொங்கிட்டு வந்து டீவீட்டு போடுற…
இதெல்லாம் தொழில் நேக்குமா 👌👌👌 pic.twitter.com/T601I0PwTS
— அருண்மொழி #ராஜா#🕉🚩🇮🇳🛕🎻 (@Arunmozhi_Raaja) July 18, 2022
Amid this praise and criticism, a user shared some development regarding the case. According to the use, police have arrested two teachers from Sakthi School. Madras High Court has also ordered a fresh autopsy. Special teams have been formed to identify who indulged in violence during protests.
Srimathi was dead in the hostel but her parents saying it is a death and school management saying it is suicide now case is going on pic.twitter.com/6axcKCalbb
— subhashgandhi (@subhash89087282) July 18, 2022
Protestors have damaged vehicles belonging to schools and police during the violence. Stones were pelted on police personnel. Following these protests, section 144 was imposed till July 31 in the Kallakurichi district. According to reports, more than 20 police personnel sustained injuries during these protests. Additional police forces were called from Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Salem districts.
DGP C Sylendra Babu appealed to the people to maintain calm and warned them against indulging in violence.
