Man Lynched in Kerala: 'Bangladeshi' Slurs Mark Gruesome Attack on Migrant Worker
In a chilling display of xenophobia and mob brutality, a 31-year-old Dalit migrant worker from Chhattisgarh was beaten to death by a group of locals in Kerala's Palakkad district on December 17, 2025. Ramnarayan Baghel, who had arrived in Kerala just four days prior to seek work as a construction labourer, was assaulted and left for dead in a deserted area near Walayar, a small town in Palakkad district. The victim's tragic tale has sent shockwaves across the state, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemning the attack as "deeply disturbing" and "unacceptable in a progressive society."
According to eyewitnesses and videos that have emerged, the mob, comprising locals, questioned Baghel's identity, branding him a "Bangladeshi" and accusing him of theft. The assault, which lasted for hours, left the victim with over 80 injury marks, including severe blunt force injuries to the head, confirmed by an autopsy at Thrissur's Government Medical College Hospital. Despite being rushed to the Palakkad district hospital, Baghel succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind two young sons, aged 8 and 10.
The incident has raised concerns about the mistreatment of migrant workers in Kerala, with many labourers from states like Chhattisgarh seeking work as construction workers or daily wage labourers. While the Palakkad police have registered murder charges under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (murder) and arrested five suspects, including a 55-year-old man, the family of the victim has demanded ₹25 lakh compensation, along with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and mob lynching charges.
The government has responded swiftly, with Chief Minister Vijayan vowing strict action and a thorough SIT probe, promising at least ₹10 lakh compensation from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The body of the victim was airlifted to Raipur at state expense after the family negotiated the terms of the burial.
"This incident is a stark reminder of the deep-seated prejudices that exist in our society," said K. Rajan, a Kerala minister, emphasizing the racial abuse faced by the victim. "The mob's actions were not merely a lynching, but a brutal assault on a human being, fueled by xenophobic and anti-migrant sentiments."
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for stricter measures to protect migrant workers. The victim's brother, Sasikanth, and cousin, Shashikant, have demanded justice and compensation, highlighting the economic vulnerability of their family, which now faces significant financial burden following Baghel's death.
"This was not just a random attack on a migrant worker," said Panchayat member Sivaraman, who witnessed the assault. "The mob had been triggered by the women who raised an alarm over the bag rummaging, which may have been a desperate attempt to find food."
As Kerala grapples with the fallout of this incident, it is clear that the state needs to take a hard look at its treatment of migrant workers. The government's swift response and promise of compensation are a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. The state must also address the root causes of such incidents, including xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiments, and ensure that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes are brought to justice.
In the words of Ramnarayan Baghel, the victim, who spoke to hospital staff before his death, "I was attacked by the mob, beaten brutally... I couldn't survive." His tragic tale serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrant workers in Kerala and the need for a more inclusive and empathetic society.
📰 Source: Hindustan Times - Politics
