Boy’s death in Nilambur: Congress seeks Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s response on Forest Minister’s ‘conspiracy’ remark

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph has sought Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s response on Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran’s remark alleging a “conspiracy” related to the electrocution of a 15-year-old boy near Nilambur in Malappuram district on June 7.

Ananthu, alias Jithu, was electrocuted by an illegal electrical trap meant for wild boars.

Addressing the media here on Monday (June 9, 2025), the Congress leader also demanded that the Minister apologise for the statement, which smacked of “arrogance” and “rudeness”. He was in Kozhikode to open a protest against the National Highways Authority of India.

“Who, other than the government, is responsible for wild animals entering human habitations? Isn’t the Forest Minister responsible for the scenario? Isn’t he a failure as a Minister? Who is supposed to take action against the illegal use of electricity? There is no point in engaging in flip-flops now,” Mr. Joseph said.

Asked about the criticisms against the protests taken out against the death of the boy by Opposition parties, he said that neither the Congress nor the United Democratic Front need any lessons in propriety from anyone.

He criticised the CPI(M) and the Left Democratic Front for engaging in violence, especially on the floor of the Legislative Assembly during the presentation of the State Budget in 2015. “When Rome burned, emperor Nero fiddled. When Radha, a plantation worker, was being mauled to death by a tiger in Wayanad, Mr. Saseendran was singing and having a nice time in Kozhikode. That shows how serious he is when it comes to wildlife issues,” he added.

Published - June 09, 2025 01:37 pm IST