Hyderabad: Former Kerala minister PK Sreemathy visited Kerala Thattukada, a restaurant near the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), which was forced to shut down after a mob of Bajrang Dal members attacked it on October 24. The assault followed an unrelated incident in Rampally village where a cattle trader, Ibrahim, allegedly shot a self-proclaimed cow vigilante, Sonu Singh alias Prashanth.
Sreemathy, a senior CPI(M) leader and former Lok Sabha MP, said the incident was part of a larger campaign to intimidate religious minorities. She stated that the intent behind such attacks was to spread fear and enforce a “One Nation, One Religion” ideology. She also drew parallels with recent attacks on Christian nuns in Chhattisgarh, condemning the rising intolerance.
The former minister noted that the police response in Hyderabad was swift, and all those involved in the assault were arrested and sent to Cherlapalli Central Prison. She expressed hope that strong legal action would prevent future attempts to target minority communities.
Santosh, coordinator of the Kerala comrades in Hyderabad, said Bajrang Dal members targeted the restaurant because its Christian owners were perceived as vulnerable. He remarked that such mobs avoid areas where they expect public resistance.
Sreemathy, who served as Kerala’s Health Minister from 2006 to 2011, called for unity and vigilance against hate-driven violence, stressing that citizens must uphold peace and constitutional values.
