“Kerala has progressed, there is no caste here”—every day, events emerge that prove just how hollow this claim is. Like embers hidden beneath ashes, casteist attitudes continue to smolder within our society, refusing to die out.
Didn’t the brutal assault faced by Shiju in Attappady shock us? Not long ago, in the same Attappady, a young man named Madhu was similarly attacked and killed—do we not remember this? What gave those attackers the audacity to tie up a 20-year-old, beat him mercilessly, and circulate the video online? Over trivial allegations—accusations of vehicle theft or breaking a window—Shiju was stripped, tied to a post, and beaten for hours. This is a disgrace to so-called progressive Kerala.
When atrocities are committed against Dalit and Adivasi communities, the general public’s reaction is painfully slow. But if someone from a privileged group faces trouble, society responds swiftly and in unison. This double standard must end if we are to eradicate discrimination.
The Silence of the Authorities
The police’s delay in apprehending the accused in the Attappady incident is a grave lapse. There is widespread criticism that the police treat crimes against Dalit and Adivasi communities as trivial. These cases are handled with a casualness that emboldens perpetrators and encourages repeat offenses. While there are ongoing efforts to claim that caste discrimination does not exist in Kerala, the reality is that caste-based violence is on the rise—a truth the authorities must acknowledge.
Caste Segregation in Public Spaces
The decision by the Palakkad Municipality to allocate a portion of public cremation ground land specifically to the N.S.S. (Nair Service Society) sparked intense debate. How can public land be divided along caste lines? Following the allocation of 20 cents of land to the N.S.S., other communities also demanded their share. The municipality’s explanation—“land will be given to anyone who asks”—undermines the very concept of a public cremation ground, which should be accessible to all, regardless of caste or religion. This segregation clearly shows that a hierarchical system of inequality still persists in Kerala. It is a direct challenge to the principles of democracy.
When Caste Discrimination is Questioned…
The incident where a councillor filed a complaint with the NIA against rapper Vedan should also be read in this context. Those who accuse Vedan of “caste terrorism” should not ignore the contradiction of allowing caste-based segregation in public cremation grounds. We now see a situation where those who raise emancipatory voices against caste are isolated, while those who perpetuate caste discrimination are protected. In Kerala, it has become easy to humiliate Dalit and Adivasi communities—and to get away with it unpunished. This must end. The Malayali society must be prepared to put a stop to it, for only then can caste cease to be an unending curse upon us.
