K. Armstrong | |
|---|---|
| State President of Bahujan Samaj Party, Tamil Nadu | |
| In office 4 July 2010 – 5 July 2024 | |
| President | Mayawati |
| Preceded by | K. Selvaperunthagai |
| Succeeded by | P. Anandan |
| In office 24 September 2007 – 11 November 2008 | |
| President | Mayawati |
| Succeeded by | K. Selvaperunthagai |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 January 1972 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Died | July 5, 2024 (aged 52) |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Political party | Bahujan Samaj Party |
| Spouse(s) | ( m. 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
| Occupation | politician, lawyer, activist |
K. Armstrong (31 January 1972 [1] – 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 Ambedkarite Buddhist, Armstrong was known as a prominent Dalit social and political activist in the state.[2]
He was assassinated outside his residence on 5 July 2024.[3][4] 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.[5][6]
Early and Personal life[edit | edit source]
Armstrong was born and brought up in Chennai’s Perambur to M. Krishnan and Lily.[1] His father was a supporter of Periyar and Dravida Kazhagam. After studying law from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, he began practising in the Chennai courts.[7] Armstrong enrolled with the 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.[8]
Political career[edit | edit source]
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.[9][10]
In 2011, he contested unsuccessfully against then deputy chief minister M.K Stalin in the assembly elections from Kolathur. [11] He was the state president of Bahujan Samaj Party for 17 years from 2007 till his death.[12]
Assassination[edit | edit source]
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.[13]
Investigation[edit | edit source]
From July to October 2024, the Tamil Nadu Police arrested 26 individuals in connection with the case,[14] including two functionaries each from the AIADMK and the BJP.[15][16][17] 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.[18]
Reaction[edit | edit source]
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.[5][6] Among the prominent figures demanding justice included his friend and film director Pa. Ranjith. [19][20]
Election contested[edit | edit source]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMK | M. K. Stalin | 68,677 | 48.35 | ||
| AIADMK | Saidai Duraisamy | 65,943 | 46.43 | ||
| BSP | K. Armstrong | 4,004 | 2.82 | ||
| Margin of victory | 2,734 | 1.92 | |||
| Turnout | 1,41,989 | 68.28 | |||
| Registered electors | 2,07,990 | ||||
| DMK win (new seat) | |||||
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu - Candidate Affidavit" (PDF).
- ↑ "BSP Tamil Nadu Chief K. Armstrong's Murder Raises Many Questions". The Wire. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ↑ "ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் கொலை - ஜெ.பி.நட்டா கண்டனம்". தினமணி. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ↑ "A gold trading scam, rivalry with a gangster, and a brother's revenge – police crack murder of BSP's Tamil Nadu chief", The Indian Express, 6 July 2024, retrieved 7 July 2024
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "One more person arrested in Tamil Nadu BSP leader K Armstrong murder case". South Fist.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Cops recover 6 phones from river, used in BSP leader Armstrong's murder". India Today.
- ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (6 July 2024). "From Lawyer To BSP Tamil Nadu Chief: Who Was K Armstrong?". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ↑ "பொற்கொடி To பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் மாநில ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் 'திருமதி. ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் B.A., B.L.'". Puthiyathalaimurai (in தமிழ்). 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ↑ Staff, T. N. M. (6 July 2024). "Tamil Nadu BSP leader Armstrong murder: 8 suspects arrested in Chennai". The News Minute. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ↑ "மாநகராட்சி கவுன்சிலர் டூ பகுஜன் சமாஜ் மாநிலத் தலைவர்... யார் இந்த ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்?". Puthiyathalaimurai (in தமிழ்). 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ↑ "candidate profile". மைநேட்டா.
- ↑ "வார்டு கவுன்சிலர் முதல் மாநிலத் தலைவர் வரை - பகுஜன் சமாஜ் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கின் அரசியல் பயணம்". பிபிசி. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ↑ "Slain Tamil Nadu BSP President Armstrong laid to rest in Tiruvallur". business-standard.
- ↑ Sivaraman, R. (28 October 2024). "Amid tight security, 26 accused arrested in Armstrong murder case produced in court". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ DTNEXT (20 July 2024). "Armstrong murder: AIADMK man who dumped phones of attackers in Kosasthalaiyar river arrested". DT Next. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
- ↑ Service, Express News (12 July 2024). "Armstrong murder: One more associated with BJP arrested; AIADMK expels arrested lawyer". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
- ↑ The Hindu (4 March 2026). "Madras High Court grants bail to woman accused of sponsoring BSP leader Armstrong's murder". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
- ↑ The Hindu (19 November 2025). "SC stays transfer of Armstrong murder probe to CBI". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
- ↑ "Filmmaker Pa Ranjith slams Tamil Nadu government over 'brother' K Armstrong's murder". India Today.
- ↑ "BSP leader K. Armstrong's murder sets off revival of Dalit protests in T.N.'s political arena". The Hindu.
- ↑ Detailes Result 2011, Aseembly Election Tamil Nadu (PDF). Election Commission of Tamil Nadu (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2021.