In a tragic incident in Kerala's Palakkad district, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh was beaten to death by a mob on Wednesday. A video of the incident has now surfaced, capturing the attackers questioning the youth about his identity. The attackers are heard asking him, 'Are you Bangladeshi?' before proceeding with a brutal assault. The video shows some people interrogating the youth, slapping him, and a person laughing when another assaults him.
The deceased has been identified as Ram Narayan Baghel. He was assaulted by a group of locals in the Attapallam area of Walayar. Police state that the attack followed theft allegations, although officials clarified that no stolen goods were found in Baghel's possession. The investigation is progressing on this basis.
What Led to the Incident
It has been reported that Baghel suddenly fell and vomited blood during the beating. Local residents and police rushed him to Palakkad District Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The autopsy conducted at Thrissur Medical College revealed severe injuries on his body, indicating extreme brutality.
Family Refuses to Accept Body
Meanwhile, Baghel's family has refused to accept his body and is demanding stringent action from the government. His brother, Shashikant, stated that the family seeks punishment for all offenders and wants the case registered under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, as they belong to Chhattisgarh's Dalit community. The family is also demanding a compensation of INR 2.5 million.
Shashikant stated, 'We haven't received any assistance from the government so far. We belong to the SC community, and the case should be registered under the relevant act. We will not accept the body until our demands are met. Ram Narayan was the sole breadwinner of our family.'
Baghel's wife Lalita and their children Anuj and Akash traveled from Chhattisgarh to Thrissur and informed authorities of the family's decision. Relatives mentioned that after seeing the body at the medical college hospital, the family is devastated and will remain in Kerala until their demands are fulfilled.
CM Promises Action Against Culprits
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared that strict action will be taken against the culprits. He stated, 'The family of Ram Narayan Baghel, who was lynched in mob violence in Walayar, Palakkad, will receive justice. Tough action will be taken against the accused.' The Chief Minister informed that a special investigation team led by Palakkad's Superintendent of Police is probing the case, and the government will consider the compensation issue as well.
'Racial Poison Spread by RSS': CPI(M)
Following the video's release, CPI(M) accused that the lynching resulted from racial hatred propagated by RSS. Kerala's Minister M.B. Rajesh stated that labeling the victim as 'Bangladeshi' and assaulting him reflects RSS's mindset. Rajesh commented, 'Questioning him about being Bangladeshi and then brutally beating him is an example of the racial poison spread by RSS.' He alleged that the event is being portrayed deliberately as mere 'mob violence.'
He further claimed that the media is ignoring this aspect and intentionally trying to suppress it. Rajesh also alleged that two of the accused have a criminal history, having been involved in fatal attacks on CPI(M) workers during previous RSS and CPI(M) clashes.
Rajesh mentioned that had CPI(M) been remotely associated with such an incident, there would be a widespread demand for accountability. He accused the media of being silent out of fear of the RSS.
