Chandrababu dressed as Mahabali (Image Courtesy- Manoramanews
Chandrababu, a native of Karunagappalli in Kollam district and dressed as “Mahabali” for Onam celebrations, was attacked by platform restaurant owner Ashraf, who poured boiling oil on him during an altercation at his shop in Alappuzha district on August 27.
Chandrababu was visiting shops dressed as “Mahabali” to greet people on the occasion of Onam as part of the traditional celebrations in Kerala.
According to reports, Chandrababu visited the shop owned by Ashraf, sipped tea and wished him ‘Happy Onam’. An altercation subsequently occurred between the two.
When the altercation escalated, the shopkeeper allegedly poured boiling oil on Chandrababu. He sustained serious burns to his face and hands. The oil was reportedly very hot as the shopkeeper was frying snacks in it at the time.
Chandrababu said he managed to save his head from the burns as he was holding a palm-leaf umbrella. He received first aid and later filed a complaint at Kayamkulam Police Station.
Onam is one of the most popular festivals in Kerala and has traditionally been celebrated across the state.
However, recently, some Muslim clergymen have issued statements describing Onam as a Hindu festival. Against this backdrop, some incidents have been reported in different parts of Kerala.
A report from Kochi stated that a hijab-clad girl allegedly messed up a ‘pookkalam’ (flower carpet) arranged in front of a commercial institution. CCTV visuals reportedly showed the girl kicking the ‘pookkalam’. BJP leader C.G. Rajagopal filed a complaint in this regard at the local police station, and reports said the police had started an investigation.
According to reports, a school teacher in Thrissur district was suspended in 2025 and faced police action after circulating a voice message in a WhatsApp group urging Muslim parents and students to avoid Onam celebrations, labelling the festival “un-Islamic” and polytheistic.
However, in a contrasting development, Muslim girls have also started celebrating Onam alongside their Hindu counterparts. Visuals of hijab-clad girls participating in ‘Tiruvatirakkali’, a traditional Onam dance, have gone viral on social media.
