The Chief Minister alleged that the killing was driven by religious hatred and described it as part of an attempt to introduce the culture of lynching, prevalent in parts of North India, into Kerala.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (File Photo/ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday announced a financial assistance of ₹30 lakh to the family of Ram Narayan Bhaiyar, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh who was beaten to death in Walayar in Palakkad district last week on suspicion of theft.
Addressing a press conference here, Chief Minister Vijayan said the state cabinet had decided to provide the compensation to the bereaved family of Bhaiyar. He asserted that all those involved in the heinous crime had been brought to justice and would face strict punishment.
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The Chief Minister alleged that the killing was driven by religious hatred and described it as part of an attempt to introduce the culture of lynching, prevalent in parts of North India, into Kerala.
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“This was part of an attempt by the Sangh Parivar to transfer the lynching that is being carried out in North India to Kerala,” Vijayan said.
The brutal incident, which shocked the state, occurred on Wednesday evening last week when Ram Narayan Bhaiyar was detained and assaulted by a mob at Walayar on allegations of theft. He collapsed and vomited blood after the assault and later succumbed to his injuries.
The Walayar police have taken 15 people, all residents of Mathalikadu and Attappallam, into custody in connection with the incident. Police said that while Bhaiyar was allegedly intoxicated, there was no evidence to suggest that he had stolen anything.
Condemning the alleged attack on a Christmas carol group in Palakkad, the Chief Minister said the entire state was disturbed by reports of assaults even on Christmas celebrations. Referring to the biblical message of peace, Vijayan said such incidents were an attempt to extinguish the spirit of harmony symbolised by Christmas.
He said there were widespread reports of similar attacks in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, and alleged that Sangh Parivar forces were behind them.
Vijayan also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for cancelling Christmas holidays and making student attendance mandatory on the day, stating that such actions reflected a worrying trend. “We believed Kerala was free from such practices, but there are now attempts to undermine that conviction,” he said.
Referring to an incident in Puthussery, Palakkad, Vijayan said a Sangh Parivar-backed group had attacked a Christmas carol group consisting of children. He alleged that BJP leaders came forward to defend the attackers and even insulted the carol group. “Strict action has been taken against those who committed the violence,” the Chief Minister added.
Coming down heavily on the Sangh Parivar and the BJP, Vijayan said those who visited Christian homes and places of worship with cakes last year were now attacking Christmas carol groups, calling it a clear reflection of growing intolerance.
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