Radhika Vemula, mother of the deceased University of Hyderabad research scholar Rohit Vemula, visited Jameela aka Meenakshi, the mother of Faisal, who was allegedly killed by Sangh Parivar supporters for embracing Islam. Radhika visited Jameela at the family’s home in Kodinhi in Malappuram district.
Faisal’s uncle told The News Minute that Radhika spent 30 minutes with Jameela at the house. “She said she could identify Meenakshi’s pain since she also lost her son,” he said.
"Ever since the BJP came into power, Dalits, Muslims and other minorities are being targeted. Even PhD scholars and children studying in universities are being targeted. This has increased and it is very troublesome," Radhika told the media after her meeting with Jameela.
She also asked Jameela to be brave and face the difficult situation. Radhika visited Kodinhi with a friend of Rohit Vemula’s and a few Muslim League leaders.
This is not the first time that Radhika has visited a bereaved mother to express solidarity. Earlier she had visited Rajeshwari, whose daughter Jisha was brutally raped and killed in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district.
Faisal P alias Aneesh Kumar was hacked to death on November 19 this year in Malappuram. Faisal had converted to Islam a year ago, and this was said to be the reason for his murder. The police have arrested eight persons affiliated with the RSS, including Faisal’s brother-in-law Vinodh in connection with the murder.
Following her son’s killing, 56-year-old Meenakshi also embraced Islam last week and adopted the name Jameela.