Kozhikode: A shocking incident of temple desecration and assault has sent ripples of concern across Kerala, particularly in the coastal village of Marad, a locality still haunted by communal violence. Early this morning, at approximately 6:00 AM, a man identified as Navas, reportedly around 35 years old, stormed the Marad Ayyapa Bhajan Mat, a small temple, unleashing a rampage that left the premises vandalized and the octogenarian priest brutally injured.
The assailant’s fury was immediate and destructive. Navas began by demolishing the ‘Thulsithara,’ an elevated platform for holy basil, a characteristic feature of Kerala temples and Hindu households. He then proceeded to throw traditional lamps, shattering the murti of Bhagwan Ayyappa. When the 80-year-old temple priest, Sreenivasan, attempted to intervene and resist the attack, Navas snatched the walking stick the elderly pujari relied upon and mercilessly beat him with it. The assault resulted in a broken leg for Sreenivasan, who has since been hospitalised, highlighting the sheer brutality of the act.
Sreenivasan’s cries for help quickly drew the attention of devotees and local residents, who rushed to the scene to confront Navas. Overwhelmed, the assailant fled the temple but immediately attempted to replicate his destructive spree at the nearby Marad Chottanikkara temple, breaking its gate in an apparent bid to continue his rampage. However, by this time, police had arrived at the spot, responding to the initial alarm.
A joint effort by local people and the police ensued to overpower Navas. During the ensuing scuffle, the culprit was reportedly heard shouting and challenging the police, loudly proclaiming his affiliation with “Mohi-e-Deen” and daring officers to a one-on-one fight. He also issued threats, vowing revenge against those who had subdued him. Navas was found to be carrying a bag containing a green-covered Arabic book.
Initially, law enforcement officials expressed suspicion that Navas might be suffering from a mental disorder—a common police narrative in Kerala when individuals involved in attacks on Hindu temples or leaders are apprehended. However, a later all-party meeting convened by the police, which included representatives from various political, social, and religious organizations, notably including the SDPI (the political arm of the outlawed Popular Front of India, PFI), cast doubt on this initial assessment. Following the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) stated that it was “not sure if Navas suffered any mental disorder,” suggesting a shift in the official stance.
The incident’s location, Marad, carries a heavy historical burden, having gained notoriety in 2003 for a brutal massacre. On May 2, 2003, Islamic terrorists massacred eight Hindu fishermen, all reported to be Sangh Swayamsevaks, while they were resting after a day of arduous fishing. Disturbingly, reports indicate that Navas is a close family member of one of the accused in that infamous 2003 massacre, adding a chilling layer of potential motive and background to today’s assault.
Advocate Prakashbabu, the BJP Kozhikode district president, addressed the media, expressing deep concern over the timing of the incident. He highlighted that the attack occurred on Bakrid, a significant Islamic festival, suggesting that Navas would likely not have resorted to such a “fanatic act sans any outside support.” This statement hints at suspicions of broader extremist involvement or instigation.
The incident has quickly become a focal point for Hindu and nationalist organizations, who argue that it starkly vindicates their long-standing warnings about the growing strength of Islamic fundamentalist elements in the state. These groups contend that such incidents pose a direct threat to the majority community and to the nation’s overall security. Nationalist forces are now vociferously demanding that both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) abandon what they term “minority appeasement and vote bank politics,” urging them to adopt a firmer stance against radical elements to ensure peace and communal harmony in the state.
