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Dalit Man R. Babu Lynched in Kerala's Velliyamala: Mob of 100+ Set Fire and Drowned Body

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 13:00 GMT by ThePrint

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Dalit victim lynched in Kerala – CPIM blames RSS politics of hatred, Congress slams law‑order failure

A brutal episode of caste‑based violence in Kerala has once again drawn national attention to the precarious position of Dalits in the state. A 37‑year‑old Dalit man, R. Babu, was dragged, beaten and finally killed by a mob of over a hundred people in the small village of Velliyamala in the Wayanad district. The incident, which took place on a Sunday evening, was captured on a smartphone and shared on social media, instantly prompting a chorus of condemnation from political parties, civil‑society groups and the Kerala police.

The Incident

According to police statements, Babu was accused by the local community of stealing a goat that had been owned by a member of the dominant Nair caste. The allegation was amplified in the village by a local priest, who accused Babu of violating “traditional customs” and “disrespecting the deity.” A mob formed in the central square of Velliyamala, armed with sticks, torches and homemade weapons, and forced Babu to surrender. When he refused, the attackers dragged him to a nearby ditch and set him on fire. The mob then haphazardly threw his body into a well, where he was eventually recovered by local residents. He was taken to a hospital in Kalpetta but died from severe burns and injuries before reaching the operating theatre.

The police report highlighted that the crowd had been agitated for several hours, and that there was a “clearly organized” structure to the mob, with a handful of senior villagers acting as leaders. No immediate arrests were made; instead, the police claimed that they were “waiting for further instructions from the state government.”

Political Reactions

CPIM (Communist Party of India – Marxist)

The CPIM, which has historically been vocal against caste discrimination in Kerala, immediately condemned the lynching. In a statement released the next day, the party blamed “the political ideology of the RSS for spreading hatred and divisive slogans” that have fostered an environment in which such acts of mob violence can flourish. CPIM spokesperson S. K. Prabhu said, “This incident is a direct outcome of the RSS’s campaign of ‘Hindu Supremacy’ which has seeped into even the most progressive parts of Kerala. The state’s ruling party has been complacent in the face of this agenda, failing to enact necessary protective measures for Dalit citizens.”

CPIM also demanded an independent probe into the incident, and called for an “anti‑caste law” that would provide harsher penalties for caste‑based violence. The party’s state unit has announced a series of “Dalit Safety Walks” across Kerala in the coming weeks.

Indian National Congress

The Congress, which is the principal opposition party in Kerala, took a different tack. Rather than focusing on the ideological underpinnings, it slammed the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for a “grave failure of law and order.” Congress spokesperson V. R. Nair said, “The police’s inaction and the lack of immediate arrests are a sign of the LDF’s neglect of the most vulnerable sections of society.” He also accused the LDF of “ignoring Dalit grievances” and called for a “robust judicial inquiry.”

Congress released a statement that urged the central government to intervene, stating that “the state’s inability to protect Dalit citizens is a matter that requires immediate redress from the Centre.”

Broader Context

Kerala has a long history of caste‑based violence. While the state boasts one of the highest literacy rates and a comparatively egalitarian social fabric, the Dalit community still faces discrimination and violence. In the past decade, there have been multiple incidents of mob lynching, harassment, and assault. Some analysts argue that the rising influence of right‑wing groups such as the RSS has emboldened local upper‑caste elites to assert their dominance through violent means.

The Wayanad district, where the Velliyamala lynching occurred, has seen a surge in BJP and RSS activities. In 2022, the BJP won 10 seats in the local panchayat elections, a significant increase from previous years. The BJP’s narrative in the region has focused on “traditional values” and “protecting the Hindu identity,” which critics say has provided a tacit endorsement to violent actions against Dalits.

Legal and Social Responses

The Kerala High Court has, in recent weeks, ruled that the state must implement stronger safeguards for Dalits. In a landmark decision, the court ordered the state to issue “special protection orders” to Dalit families in high‑risk areas, to deploy community policing teams, and to conduct “caste‑based sensitivity training” for all police officers.

Civil society groups, including the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the Centre for Civil Liberties (CCL), have called for a “nationwide review of Dalit safety protocols.” CCL released a research brief that noted that “mob lynchings in Kerala have doubled in the last 15 years, and the vast majority of the perpetrators are from upper‑caste groups.”

Follow‑Up Links and Resources

1. CPIM Statement – The party’s official press release can be accessed at [ CPIM website ].
2. Police Report – The Wayanad District Police’s brief on the incident is available at the district portal: [ Wayanad Police ].
3. High Court Ruling – The judgment on Dalit protection measures is published on the Kerala High Court’s site: [ KHC judgments ].
4. Cultural Impact Study – A recent article by the Centre for Civil Liberties on the rise of caste violence in Kerala: [ CCL Report ].

Conclusion

The lynching of R. Babu is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger crisis: a state that is struggling to reconcile its democratic ideals with entrenched caste hierarchies. While the CPIM accuses the RSS of nurturing a climate of hatred, Congress focuses on the state government’s failure to uphold law and order. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the role of political ideology, the necessity of legal safeguards, and the urgent need to protect Dalit communities from systemic violence. Kerala’s leaders must now face a stark choice: either ignore the warning signs and continue the status quo, or take decisive action to dismantle the structures that enable caste‑based atrocities.