A 26-year-old school teacher Ramani was stabbed to death by a man on Tuesday in Mallipattinam Government Higher Secondary School in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district. The man, identified as Madan, attacked Ramani outside the staff room, with students and other staff as witnesses. Madan was later arrested by the police.
According to sources in the police, Ramani and Madan were in a relationship that faced strong opposition from Ramani’s family. Tensions between the two escalated recently after Ramani reportedly rejected Madan’s marriage proposal. This led to the fatal attack, with Madan stabbing Ramani in a fit of rage.
A video from the school showed the harrowing moments when students carried a severely injured Ramani in an attempt to save her. The teacher died on the way to the hospital. The police caught Madan shortly after the incident and have launched an investigation.
The death has sparked outrage, with Opposition AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) condemning the state government. In a social media post, he criticised the DMK administration for its alleged failure to maintain law and order.
“The news that teacher Ramani was stabbed to death at Mallipattinam Government Higher Secondary School in Thanjavur district is shocking,” EPS wrote. He accused the DMK government of administrative incompetence, claiming that crime has become rampant under its watch. “There is no security for government employees, including school teachers and doctors, even in the government places where they work,” he added, urging Chief Minister MK Stalin to prioritise public safety over publicity.
Responding to the incident, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi expressed his condolences and condemned the act of violence. “We strongly condemn the attack on teacher Ramani, who worked at Mallipattinam Government School. Violence against teachers cannot be tolerated at all. Strict legal action will be taken against the attacker,” he said, offering support to Ramani’s grieving family, students, and colleagues.