Eight suspects have been arrested in India after a local politician was murdered in the southern city of Chennai. The victim, K. Armstrong, was hacked to death with machetes and sickles last night, presumably because he had campaigned for the rights of lower-caste Indians.

Armstrong, 47, was the local leader of the BSP party. While he was speaking to friends and supporters, a group of men attacked the politician. The newspaper reported that he died in hospital. Indian Express.

Eight suspects have been arrested “so far,” the local police chief told the Press Trust of India news agency. “We are still busy with the investigation and it should become clear later what exactly happened,” he added.

In Chennai, a city of more than four million people, people took to the streets to demand justice. The state’s chief minister ordered police to swiftly investigate the “horrific murder”.

BSP leader Mayawati also responded to X over the death of her party colleague. She called the murder “sad and reprehensible.” Mayawati says Armstrong always championed the voice of Dalits. Dalits are the lowest group in the Hindu caste system. Although caste discrimination is officially banned, it remains common in India.