This is an archive article published on May 29, 2017
Kerala: Thoughtless, barbaric says Rahul Gandhi after Youth Congress leaders slaughter calf
Kerala: The killing was in protest against Centre’s decision to ban sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter
Written by Shaju Philip
, Manoj C G
Thiruvananthapuram/new Delhi | Updated: May 29, 2017 09:13 AM IST
4 min read
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“What happened in Kerala yesterday was thoughtless, barbaric & completely unacceptable to me & the Congress Party. I strongly condemn the incident,” Rahul tweeted on Sunday night on his official handle (Source: File Photo)
Hours after Kerala police registered a case against some Youth Congress activists on the charge of slaughtering a male calf during a protest on Saturday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi called the act “thoughtless, barbaric & completely unacceptable”. The alleged slaughter was in protest against the central government’s decision to ban the sale and purchase of cattle in animal markets for slaughter.
Acting on a complaint by the Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP, the police said a case was registered against Youth Congress Kannur mandal president Rajeel Makkutty and others. The Youth Congress workers reportedly brought the calf in a small truck, skinned it and distributed the meat for free among local people. While the Youth Congress on Sunday denied any involvement, the party’s central leadership in Delhi did not want to be associated with the act.
“What happened in Kerala yesterday was thoughtless, barbaric & completely unacceptable to me & the Congress Party. I strongly condemn the incident,” Rahul tweeted on Sunday night on his official handle @OfficeOfRG. When Abhishek Singhvi was asked in Delhi about a purported video on the slaughter — in which several men were seen shouting Youth Congress zindabad — the Congress spokesperson said if anyone had violated any law, the law would deal with them and the Congress will not support them.
What happened in Kerala yesterday is thoughtless,barbaric& completely unacceptable to me &the Congress Party.I strongly condemn the incident
The video is being circulated by BJP workers and has been uploaded on the official Twitter handle @kummanam of Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan. Singhvi, who called the slaughter a “condemnable thing”, said: “I don’t believe what the BJP is saying…. What if they are not connected with the Congress. It is yet to be proved and we cannot take the matter forward at this stage.” He added that if any Congress worker has indulged in “such a condemnable thing”, the Congress will not stand in his support.
“If there is a law, if there is a rule, if there is an enactment, there is no question of anyone from the Congress or otherwise violating that law. And if any law is violated, the Congress has never stood in support of that person… With that, I must add that at the moment, apart from an insinuation and innuendo by the BJP, there is absolutely no material to suggest that it was a Congress person. Certainly if it is a Congress person who is found to be violating the law, we don’t support it…. But then whether it is a Congress person…. has to be checked,” he said. The Youth Congress issued a statement, saying the outfit does not support cruelty against animals in any form.
Referring to the video, it said the people who slaughtered cattle were from slaughterhouses, and not the Youth Congress, but “we shall probe the matter (to find out) if any of our office-bearers is involved”. Kerala BJP state president Rajasekharan said the public slaughter showed the savagery of the Congress workers. Have the Youth Congress workers become butchers, he asked.
Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India.
Expertise, Experience, and Authority
Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes:
Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration.
Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules.
Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis.
The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage.
Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting.
Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics.
National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections.
Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum.
Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital.
Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief.
Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More