Kannagi was killed by her own relatives.
The Circumstances of the Murder
Kannagi's death, along with that of her husband, Murugesan, was an honor killing. This act was perpetrated by her own relatives due to their severe disapproval of her marriage.
The Motive: An Inter-Caste Marriage
The primary reason for the murder stemmed from Kannagi's marriage to Murugesan, which crossed traditional caste boundaries:
- Kannagi: Belonged to the Vanniyar community.
- Murugesan: Was a Dalit, a social group historically considered "untouchable."
Such inter-caste unions have, in some instances, led to extreme violence, including honor killings, by families seeking to preserve their perceived social standing and honor. In this tragic event, Kannagi's relatives were responsible for the killing of both Kannagi and Murugesan.
