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{{Short description|Indian lawyer and politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = K. Armstrong
| office = State President of [[Bahujan Samaj Party]], <br/>[[Tamil Nadu]]
| president = [[Mayawati]]
| term_start = 4 July 2010
| term_end = 5 July 2024
| predecessor = [[K. Selvaperunthagai]]
| successor = P. Anandan
| president1 = [[Mayawati]]
| term_start1 = 24 September 2007
| term_end1 = 11 November 2008
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 = [[K. Selvaperunthagai]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1972|1|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|7|5|1972|1|31}}
| death_cause = [[Assassination]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Porkodi Armstrong]]|2016}}
| children = 1
| occupation = politician, lawyer, activist
| party = [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]
| other_party =
*[[Puratchi Bharatam Katchi]]
*[[Independent politician|Independent]]
}}

'''K. Armstrong''' (31 January 1972 <ref name=":0" /> – 5 July 2024) was an Indian lawyer and politician from the state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was the state president of Tamil Nadu unit of the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]. An [[Ambedkarism|Ambedkarite]] [[Dalit Buddhist movement|Buddhist]], Armstrong was known as a prominent [[Dalit]] social and political activist in the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BSP Tamil Nadu Chief K. Armstrong's Murder Raises Many Questions |url=https://thewire.in/caste/bsp-tamil-nadu-chief-k-armstrongs-murder-raises-many-questions |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref>

He was assassinated outside his residence on 5 July 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் கொலை - ஜெ.பி.நட்டா கண்டனம் |url=https://www.dinamani.com/india/2024/Jul/06/jp-nadda-condemns-k-armstrong-murder |accessdate=6 July 2024 |agency=தினமணி}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=A gold trading scam, rivalry with a gangster, and a brother’s revenge – police crack murder of BSP’s Tamil Nadu chief |date=2024-07-06 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsp-tamil-nadu-chief-murder-police-9437159/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en |accessdate=2024-07-07}}</ref> His murder led to protests and public demonstrations in parts of Tamil Nadu, with Dalit organisations and political leaders demanding justice and highlighting violence against Dalits.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/tamilnadu/one-more-person-arrested-in-tamil-nadu-bsp-leader-k-armstrong-murder-case/|title=One more person arrested in Tamil Nadu BSP leader K Armstrong murder case|publisher=South Fist}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/chennai-police-bsp-armstrong-murder-6-mobile-phones-recovered-aiadmk-accused-2569739-2024-07-21|title=Cops recover 6 phones from river, used in BSP leader Armstrong's murder|publisher=India Today}}</ref>

== Early and Personal life ==
Armstrong was born and brought up in Chennai’s [[Perambur]] to M. Krishnan and Lily.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu - Candidate Affidavit |url=https://www.elections.tn.gov.in/Affidavits2011/13/K.ARMSTRONG.pdf}}</ref> His father was a supporter of [[Periyar]] and [[Dravidar Kazhagam|Dravida Kazhagam]]. After studying law from [[Sri Venkateswara University]], [[Tirupati]], he began practising in the Chennai courts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2024-07-06 |title=From Lawyer To BSP Tamil Nadu Chief: Who Was K Armstrong? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!state/from-lawyer-to-bsp-tamil-nadu-chief-who-was-k-armstrong-enn24070603654 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref> Armstrong enrolled with the [[Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry|Bar Council of Tamil Nadu]] in 2009, a year after his childhood friend Porkodi had registered. On 6 March 2016, he married Porkodi (born 8 August 1974) in a ceremony attended by 50 Buddhist monks from various South Asian countries; on the same occasion, he embraced Buddhism. On 14 March 2023, the couple had a daughter named Savitribai, after seven years of marriage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-23 |title=பொற்கொடி To பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் மாநில ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் ‘திருமதி. ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் B.A., B.L.’|url=https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/tamilnadu/porkodi-changes-her-name-to-mrs-armstrong-ba-bl |access-date=2024-07-23|website=Puthiyathalaimurai|language=ta}}</ref>

==Political career==
In 2000, he joined active politics with the [[Puratchi Bharatham Katchi]] under the leadership of Poovai Murthy. In 2006, he contested as an independent candidate and was elected from a ward in North Chennai as a councillor in the Chennai Municipal Corporation elections. Subsequently he joined the BSP on 24 September 2007 and was made the state unit president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2024-07-06 |title=Tamil Nadu BSP leader Armstrong murder: 8 suspects arrested in Chennai |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-bsp-leader-armstrong-murder-8-suspects-arrested-in-chennai |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=மாநகராட்சி கவுன்சிலர் டூ பகுஜன் சமாஜ் மாநிலத் தலைவர்... யார் இந்த ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்?|url=https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/tamilnadu/who-is-bsp-tn-chief-armstrong |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Puthiyathalaimurai|language=ta}}</ref>

In 2011, he contested unsuccessfully against then deputy chief minister [[M. K. Stalin|M.K Stalin]] in the assembly elections from [[Kolathur Assembly constituency|Kolathur]]. <ref>{{cite web |title=candidate profile |url=https://myneta.info/tamilnadu2011/candidate.php?candidate_id=833 |website=மைநேட்டா}}</ref> He was the state president of [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] for 17 years from 2007 till his death.<ref>{{cite news |title=வார்டு கவுன்சிலர் முதல் மாநிலத் தலைவர் வரை - பகுஜன் சமாஜ் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கின் அரசியல் பயணம் |url=https://www.bbc.com/tamil/articles/c720w1y9n8qo |accessdate=6 July 2024 |agency=பிபிசி}}</ref>

==Assassination==
On 5 July 2024, Armstrong was attacked and killed by a group of six people near his home, which was under construction. He is survived by his wife and daughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/slain-tamil-nadu-bsp-president-armstrong-laid-to-rest-in-tiruvallur-124070800115_1.html|title=Slain Tamil Nadu BSP President Armstrong laid to rest in Tiruvallur|publisher=business-standard}}</ref>

=== Investigation ===
From July to October 2024, the Tamil Nadu Police arrested 26 individuals in connection with the case,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sivaraman |first=R. |date=2024-10-28 |title=Amid tight security, 26 accused arrested in Armstrong murder case produced in court |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/amid-tight-security-26-accused-arrested-in-armstrong-murder-case-produced-in-court/article68806779.ece |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> including two functionaries each from the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=DTNEXT |first= |date=2024-07-20 |title=Armstrong murder: AIADMK man who dumped phones of attackers in Kosasthalaiyar river arrested |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/armstrong-murder-aiadmk-man-who-dumped-phones-of-attackers-in-kosasthalaiyar-river-arrested-795842 |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=DT Next |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2024-07-12 |title=Armstrong murder: One more associated with BJP arrested; AIADMK expels arrested lawyer |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Jul/18/armstrong-murder-one-more-associated-with-bjp-arrested-aiadmk-expels-arrested-lawyer |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=The Hindu |first= |date=2026-03-04 |title=Madras High Court grants bail to woman accused of sponsoring BSP leader Armstrong’s murder |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-grants-bail-to-woman-accused-of-sponsoring-bsp-leader-armstrongs-murder/article70699907.ece |access-date=2026-04-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In September 2024, the Madras High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation to the CBI. In November 2025, the Supreme Court of India stayed the transfer of the probe to the CBI.<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Hindu |first= |date=2025-11-19 |title=SC stays transfer of Armstrong murder probe to CBI |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sc-stays-transfer-of-armstrong-murder-probe-to-cbi/article70300163.ece |access-date=2026-04-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Reaction==
His murder led to protests and public demonstrations in parts of Tamil Nadu, with Dalit organisations and political leaders demanding justice and highlighting violence against Dalits.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Among the prominent figures demanding justice included his friend and film director [[Pa. Ranjith]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/pa-ranjith-tamil-nadu-dmk-government-murder-brother-k-armstrong-2564513-2024-07-09|title=Filmmaker Pa Ranjith slams Tamil Nadu government over 'brother' K Armstrong's murder|publisher=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bsp-leader-k-armstrongs-murder-sets-off-revival-of-dalit-protests-in-tns-political-arena/article68385502.ece|title=BSP leader K. Armstrong’s murder sets off revival of Dalit protests in T.N.’s political arena|publisher=The Hindu}}</ref>

== Election contested ==

{{Election box begin|title= [[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]]: Kolathur<ref>{{Cite report|url=http://www.elections.tn.gov.in/Web/Index_card_TNLA2011/10-DETAILEDRESULT_ver4.3.pdf|title=Detailes Result 2011, Aseembly Election Tamil Nadu |work=Election Commission of Tamil Nadu|access-date=9 May 2021 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170215085458/http://www.elections.tn.gov.in/Web/Index_card_TNLA2011/10-DETAILEDRESULT_ver4.3.pdf | archive-date =15 February 2017}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|candidate=[[M. K. Stalin]] |party=Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |votes=68,677 |percentage=48.35 |change= }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=[[Saidai Duraisamy]] |party=All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |votes=65,943 |percentage=46.43 |change= }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=[[K. Armstrong]] |party=Bahujan Samaj Party |votes=4,004 |percentage=2.82 |change= }}
{{Election box margin of victory |votes=2,734 |percentage=1.92 |change= }}
{{Election box turnout |votes=1,41,989 |percentage=68.28 |change= }}
{{Election box registered electors |reg. electors = 2,07,990 |change = }}
{{Election box new seat win |winner=Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |loser= |swing= }}
{{Election box end}}

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, K.}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:Dalit politicians]]
[[Category:Bahujan Samaj Party politicians]]

K. Armstrong - Revision history

Harman23: New initial post initial version