Man assaults madrasa students, hurls communal slurs, calls them terrorists in Kozhikode

Once again, the inertia of the Kerala police stood exposed in a blatant communal assault on madrasa students in Kozhikode’s Perambra, as despite a formal complaint alleging that students were attacked, branded “terrorists,” and targeted while pasting posters on a privately owned wall with prior consent, no prompt action was reportedly taken against the accused, who are alleged to have Hindutva links. The incident echoed earlier charges of selective enforcement and institutional apathy towards such acts of communal hate.

According to accounts provided by the students, the sequence of events unfolded after they had secured initial permission from a private property owner to paste posters, following which they were instructed to return at night to carry out the activity, according to Maktoob media.

However, upon their return and a subsequent approach to a nearby residence for reconfirmation, the interaction allegedly evolved into one of hostility, as the students were reportedly coerced into entering a house, only to be subjected to intrusive questioning.

The students alleged that they were interrogated with communally charged questions, probing their ideological and religious affiliations and their perceived support for tensions involving Israel-Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria.

As the situation escalated, they claimed that attempts to leave were obstructed, with the gate being locked, following which physical violence ensued, including being pushed, beaten, kicked, and struck with a metal object, while communal slurs, including the epithet “terrorists,” were allegedly hurled at them.

In a desperate bid to escape, the students reportedly fled towards a nearby restaurant and raised an alarm, although the assailants are said to have continued verbal abuse even then. The injured were initially admitted to Perambra Taluk Hospital before being transferred to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in the early hours of the following morning due to the severity of their injuries.

Meanwhile, the Fraternity Movement and MSF Perambra committees have issued strong condemnations, alleging that individuals associated with Hindutva outfits and even a central government employee were involved, while warning that the incident, if left unaddressed, could erode communal harmony, as demands intensify for immediate arrests and a credible, impartial investigation.