It seems like the tribals are best fit only for the forests. If the recent happenings in the state are any indication, it should be stressed more that the tribals should stay in the forest. Many gloat about the coexistence and the diverse practices in the southern turf of Kerala. But these rabble-rousing can only win the political brownies but can't change the reality. Here go some truisms, Kerala is no place for tribals or the backward in society. The infamous murder of Tribal Madhu who was beaten to death by a mob is still alive in the public conscience. Big protests emanated, and political parties came with proclamations and made the issue grab national attention. But years passed and still the case is stuck in the court with no proper legal movements. Madhu is nowhere to be heard. The politicians hopped to other greener pastures.

And now, a cold repetition of the same incident has happened in Wayanad. A tribal man, Vishwanathan’s dead body was found hanging near the premises of Kozhikode medical college. He made it to the hospital from his village just to accompany his pregnant wife in childbirth. Late into the night, Vishwanathan took a nap near the floors of the hospital when a mob emerged from nowhere. One mobile phone went missing near the premise, and who to suspect other than a financially backward tribal taking a perfect sleep on the floors of the hospital? His relatives have complained that the security and a large mob manhandled Vishwanathan suspecting him of stealing the mobile phone.

An unconsolable Bindhu, wife of Vishwanathan echoes the same claim with the wailing stuttering while she says that her husband was murdered. It was after eight years of longing that Vishwanathan got blessed with a child. His first remark of his after seeing the child was “ give me fifteen more years to live”. The family says such a spirited man won't easily commit suicide for whatever reason.

The family got humiliated even at the police station. The police tried the tough cop on them and coerced the family to take back the case. Kerala government and other political parties get stirred up smelling any such mob killing happening in the northern states of the country. The much-touted Madhu case has reached nowhere. The same situation is showing a comeback in Kerala with the government staying mum.

Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to the bereaved family of Vishwanathan. He has promised to bring the topic to national attention. Meanwhile, there is a jolted public understanding that the Adivasis are homeless and people with no patronages. Nobody minds attacking them and it has been reflected in repeated incidents in Kerala.