Coimbatore: This marriage was more than a union of two individuals; it sought to convey a message to society on the ills of casteism, and on remarriage for a widow.More than two years after her husband was brutally murdered by her family members, S Kausalya, 21, who has been working against caste reprisals and murders, married ‘Parai’ artist Sakthi, 26, in Coimbatore on Sunday.Kausalya’s first husband Sankar, a member of the SC community, was murdered by hired goons in a busy market area in Udumalpet in the neighbouring Tirupur district in March 2016.“Our marriage ceremony is more like an announcement to inform everyone that we are going to work together, rather than a big celebration,” said Sakthi.They vowed to continue their fight against caste discrimination, demanding a separate law for caste killings and to keep the art of Parai (beating of a traditional drum) alive. Kausalya also teaches Parai at her late husband’s village.“Inter-caste couples and others who desire to marry are always welcome to our home. We will extend all support. Similarly, Marxists, Periyarists, Abedkarists and those who are working for the welfare of the society are welcome to our home,” said Kausalya.“So far, I have been working against caste discrimination on my own. From now on, I will have Sakthi by my side. It is because we work well together that we decided to get married and it is not because of any social pressure.”The marriage would be an encouragement to those who want to re-marry, she added.“Kausalya will remain as a role model to the public and we hope that women who have lost their husbands, would come forward to remarry,” said Ku Ramakrishnan of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam.Kathir of Evidence said Kausalya has done several things which should inspire us. She fulfilled Sankar's dream of constructing a concrete house in their village and assisting his brother's education. She has ensured that justice was delivered to the murderers of her husband, which most of us would not come forward to do.Sankar’s family, with whom Kausalya had been staying since the murder of her husband, has wholeheartedly accepted the marriage.Sankar’s father Velusamy, grandmother Mariayi and his brother Vignesh, who is doing under graduation participated in the function.“We are extremely happy that Kausalya got married,” said Mariayi during the ceremony, while Velusamy wished the couple a long and happy life.Even before Kausalya was ready for marriage, Velusamy would constantly ask to arrange a marriage for Kausalya whom he fondly refers to as his daughter, said Kathir. “Vignesh has said that he is congratulating the couple on their big day. He has accepted Sakthi as his brother.”

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