Kerala’s Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, a stronghold of the Congress once represented by Rahul Gandhi and now by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, continues to grapple with significant challenges, particularly for its tribal communities. Despite the constituency’s strong support for the Congress, it remains in a dire state, with tribal communities facing ongoing neglect and injustice. Recent events have highlighted the failures of both the political and administrative systems in the region, bringing these issues to the forefront.
On 16 December 2024, when Chundamma, a 76-year-old tribal woman, passed away at her home in Wayanad. Due to the unavailability of an ambulance, her body had to be transported to the crematorium in an autorickshaw. Her family had reportedly requested an ambulance from the Tribal Development Department, but no response was forthcoming. As a result, they were forced to use the autorickshaw. Tragically, the body, wrapped in a sheet, was visibly hanging out of the vehicle during the journey, a shocking display of administrative failure.
The incident, captured in videos and photos, went viral, sparking outrage on social media. Subsequently, Congress workers staged protests outside the Tribal Development Department office, demanding accountability. In response, the authorities suspended a local official for failing to ensure the availability of an ambulance. It is worth noting that the incident occurred in the Mananthavady constituency, which is represented by Kerala’s Tribal Affairs Minister, O R Kelu.
Another disturbing event took place in the Mananthavady area on 15 December 2024, when a 49-year-old tribal man, Mathan, was brutally attacked and dragged for half a kilometer by a moving car. The attack occurred after a minor dispute between two tourist groups, during which Mathan and other locals attempted to intervene. The accused, who identified themselves as tourists, assaulted Mathan and then dragged him behind their vehicle. The suspects—Mohammad Arshid, Abhiram, Vishnu, and Navil Kamar—have been identified, and the car involved, a Maruti Celerio, was seized by the police. Mathan sustained severe injuries, especially to his legs and hands, and is currently in critical condition at Wayanad Medical College Hospital.
The BJP has condemned the Congress-led government’s selective response to these incidents, particularly the silence of leaders like Priyanka Gandhi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Kerala BJP President K. Surendran questioned, “Pseudo-intellectuals in Kerala cry hoarse about incidents in North India, yet stay eerily silent when a tribal youth is brutally dragged by a car in Mananthavady, Wayanad. Why this selective outrage? Is it because the incident doesn’t serve your narrative?”
Pseudo-intellectuals in Kerala cry hoarse about incidents in North India, yet stay eerily silent when a tribal youth is brutally dragged by a car in Mananthavady, Wayanad. Why this selective outrage? Is it because the incident doesn’t serve your narrative?@priyankagandhi… pic.twitter.com/bN1dYFPTHK
— K Surendran (@surendranbjp) December 17, 2024
The recent events in Wayanad highlight the failure of both the political and administrative systems to address the ongoing issues faced by the tribal population. The incident involving Chundamma’s body transportation and Mathan’s brutal assault reflects the systemic neglect and exploitation of marginalized communities. It is particularly concerning that such incidents are happening in a constituency once represented by Rahul Gandhi and now under the leadership of his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, who have both failed to act on behalf of the people they represent.
The Congress party’s selective outrage is evident in the way they have responded to these incidents. While Congress leaders have protested issues like the farmers’ protests or the Hathras case, they have remained silent when it comes to the struggles of the tribal communities in Wayanad. This selective approach, especially in light of the fact that the accused in Mathan’s case are Muslims, raises questions about whether Congress is engaging in politics of convenience, choosing when to speak out based on electoral advantage.
This pattern of neglect toward the tribal community in Wayanad is not new. For years, issues such as inadequate healthcare, poor education, and administrative apathy have been ignored by the Congress party. The political engagement with these communities has often been limited to election periods, with little action taken in between.
The recent incidents in Wayanad thus expose the hypocrisy of the Congress party and the ongoing neglect faced by the tribal population in the region. The failure of both the political leadership and the administrative system to address these issues only highlights the need for a broader, more inclusive approach to governance in Wayanad and other tribal areas.
(With Inputs From OpIndia)
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