BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekaran and his party workers will hold a 24-hour fast on Tuesday at the Kerala Secretariat protesting the plight of the tribal community in the state under the LDF government.
Kummanam and his supporters will be holding the fast in front of the secretariat around 10 am and the fast will be inaugurated by Ramvihar Netam, national president of Scheduled Tribe Morcha.
Kummanam also took to Facebook on Tuesday morning to announce his fast and his demands.
“We will hold a 24 hour fast on Tuesday in front of the secretariat over the unfortunate incident of lynching the tribal man Madhu. The fast is held to protest the ruling government’s offensive irresponsibility over protecting tribal community,” read Kummanam’s post.
Kummanam has also listed demands that he raised to the LDF government.
“SC/ST development minister A. K. Balan should step down from office as he has clearly failed in the duty bestowed on him. The LDF government is completely responsible in coming forward with a white paper on the funds provided to tribals in the State. The government should also give Madhu’s family a compensation of 25 lakhs and ensure that a family member is provided with a government job,” read his post.
The decision to hold a fast comes days after the state BJP president tweeted a photograph of himself with his hands tied up, drawing much flak from across the state to people calling the stunt "fancy dress". He shared the photo saying: "En route Attappady Tribal Village. Please join and pledge your support for #ISupportKeralaAdivasis."
30-year-old Madhu, a tribal man from Attappadi, was brutally beaten up on Thursday evening by the mob that accused him of having robbed food items including rice. Although the mob later called the local police, Madhu vomited and fell unconscious while he was being taken to the police station. He was declared brought dead by the doctors.
Agali police have nabbed 16 people in connection with the brutal act.