Kerala Government Claims Hate Politics Behind Migrant Worker Lynching

Allegations of Hate Politics in Lynching Case

On Monday, officials from the Kerala government stated that a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, who was lynched in Palakkad on December 17, fell victim to the hate politics propagated by the Sangh Parivar, as reported by a local news source.

The term Sangh Parivar encompasses a network of Hindutva organizations, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) being the leading entity. The RSS is the foundational organization for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the national level.

Ramnarayan Baghel, aged 31, hailed from Champa district and had arrived in Kerala on December 13. He was brutally attacked in Attappallam village after being wrongfully accused of theft.

Footage from the incident reveals the attackers questioning Baghel, asking, “Are you a Bangladeshi?”

MB Rajesh, Kerala’s Local Self Government Minister, remarked that Baghel was targeted after being labeled as a Bangladeshi, according to reports.

Rajesh, affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Palakkad, alleged that some of the attackers were RSS members who have faced criminal charges in other incidents.

“The migrant worker, who sought employment, was tried and assaulted, accused of being a Bangladeshi,” Rajesh stated. “He is a victim of the racial animosity propagated by the Sangh Parivar in our nation.”

Following the incident, Kerala Police apprehended five individuals on Thursday, charging them with murder.

Baghel’s family declined to accept his body at the Thrissur Medical College Hospital on Sunday, demanding compensation of Rs 25 lakh and for the state to cover the transportation costs to his village.

In response, the Kerala government assured a minimum compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family.

Palakkad Superintendent of Police Ajith Kumar announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team, led by a deputy superintendent, to investigate the case. He also mentioned that charges under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act would be applied against the accused.