The suffering of Wayanad’s displaced families continues, as the state government remains conveniently blindfolded to their trauma and demands. Protests are mounting over the non-payment of house rents to the victims of the landslide that occurred on 30 July 2024. As per the official arrangement, Rs 6,000 was to be paid before the 5th of every month as rent. However, the payments have now lapsed.
The rental houses for these victims were identified and arranged by the authorities themselves. The government has cited a shortage of funds in the treasury as the reason.
In response, protest action committees have stepped up their agitation. Despite the government’s earlier declaration to construct a township for the victims, even the promised interim benefits have not been delivered. The Janasabdam Action Committee has taken the lead in the ongoing protest.
On May 19, the Vythiri Taluk office in Wayanad was besieged from 9 a.m. under the leadership of the Janasabdam Action Committee, as part of a coordinated protest.
The current plight of the victims is dire. Every month, they are forced to observe a ‘Satyagraha’ in front of the Tehsildar’s office, demanding what is rightfully theirs. It is reported that approximately Rs 733 crore is available in the relief fund, yet the deserving victims are not receiving the corresponding benefits.
Wayanad Landslides: 24 dead, many trapped after devastation hit Kerala’s Meppadi; rescue operation underwayhttps://t.co/sSTvsrYzRU
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 30, 2024
Another promise was the disbursal of Rs 300 per day to those who had lost their livelihoods due to the disaster. This, too, remains unfulfilled. Allegations are emerging that the government is attempting to remove several names from the list of eligible beneficiaries. Consequently, many are excluded from the proposed township project, and the commitment to waive off existing loans has not been honoured.
The siege was called off before noon, following a discussion between the protest leaders and the Tehsildar.
The Janasabdam Action Committee, formed by the victims themselves, continues to highlight the government’s apathy towards their just demands. Interestingly, a Janakeeya Samiti—reportedly aligned with local CPI(M) leaders—has also joined the agitation, raising eyebrows among observers.
The fact that a parallel committee led by CPM members has suddenly appeared is being viewed as a move to co-opt and dilute genuine grassroots dissent.
In summary, the Wayanad landslide victims remain disappointed and desperate for a lasting solution, while the government continues to extend promises without delivery.
It has been nearly ten months since the devastating landslide struck Wayanad on 30 July 2024, claiming lives and displacing numerous families. Yet, the Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, appears wilfully indifferent to the plight of the victims. Despite the existence of substantial financial reserves—reportedly around Rs 733 crore earmarked for disaster relief—the government has failed to deliver even the most basic promised assistance.
Here are some figures which highlight the severity of the devastating natural calamity that Wayanad experienced on 30 July 2024.
Total number of people killed: 420
Total number of injured people: 397
Number of families that lost all their members: 17
Total number of houses destroyed: 1,555
Several voluntary organisations and NGOs came forward with offers to construct houses for the victims. There are allegations that the government did not respond to some of these offers. For example, the High Range Rural Development Society (HRDS), an NGO led by Guru Atma Nambi and Aji Krishnan, had offered to build 500 brand new and safe houses (each with a built-up area of 700 sq ft) for all those whose homes were washed away by the gushing floodwaters. Aji Krishnan told the media that his NGO had also informed the government that each house would be supplemented by an acre of land, enabling the occupants to achieve sustainable economic growth through group farming. HRDS Vice Chairman K.G. Venugopal told Organiser at the time that each house was designed to include a home-stay facility, allowing the residents to host tourists and thereby earn additional income.
However, HRDS’s offer was not accepted. Unfortunately, the state government, led by CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan, still appears to find satisfaction in playing the blame game against the Union government.
Wayanad, once represented by Congress top leader and current Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and now by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has long been a bastion of the Gandhi family. Even Sonia Gandhi has campaigned in the region, showcasing the constituency’s political importance to the Congress high command. Yet, beyond the election optics, the 2024 landslide victims have been abandoned. Despite lofty promises, neither the Congress leadership nor the ruling Communists have delivered. Critics say both parties share one trait—exploiting people’s suffering for votes, only to disappear when it’s time to govern.
Wayanad Landslide: MP Rahul Gandhi missing as constituency reels under disaster; BJP and RSS step up relief effortshttps://t.co/NnVeJU2W6y
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 31, 2024
Kerala Govt’s Wayanad relief expenses spark outrage: Rs 75,000 per funeral, Rs 7 Crore for generators questioned https://t.co/3cJzPQH59Q
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) September 18, 2024
Critics argue that this neglect is not accidental but symptomatic of a deeper malaise—exploiting the poor conditions of the vulnerable has long been the trademark of Kerala Communists, who often prefer symbolic gestures over substantive action.
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