More than a month after Madhu, a tribal man from Kerala, was beaten to death by a mob in Attappady, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has extended financial help to the bereaved family.
Sehwag has reportedly donated a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh to Madhu’s mother, Malli. This was confirmed by Kerala-based activist Rahul Easwar through a Twitter post recently.
In the post, Rahul said that a cheque has been given from Sehwag’s foundation and that it was facilitated through the intervention of radio journalist Amritanshu Gupta.
A real Positive & Patriotic News#HanumanJayanti blessings came to Madhus mother Malli in the form of help from @virendersehwag ji
— Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) March 31, 2018
He gave 1.5 Lakh Rs cheque from his foundation to our Tribal Vanvasi bro Madhu's mother Smt Malli
Facilitated by good friend @AmritanshuGupta ji pic.twitter.com/yAGjWKuqzJ
Along with a photograph of Madhu, Rahul also shared a photograph of the cheque Sehwag sent him by post. He told TNM that the cheque will be handed over to Malli on April 11.
“I will be visiting Madhu’s family & mother Malli, with assistance from Dysp Agali Subrahmanian sir. With this, my desire is that the issue of tribal people can be highlighted nationally,” he said.
After Rahul shared the news on social media, users lauded Sehwag’s gesture.
Thankyou @virendersehwag ... Salute you to your generosity and courage
— Sanjay (@Sanjaypro) April 3, 2018
A wonderful and kind gesture by @virendersehwag
— Amit Pandey (@amitpanday) April 2, 2018
A BIG THANKS VIRENDER SEHWAG
His foundation provided a cheque of
150K to the mother of Late Aadivasi Madhu
Indian Liberals will not endorse such kindness.. @rjraunac @AmritanshuGupta @virendersehwag @DrKumarVishwas @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/EmAblZQK6r
Good work by @virendersehwag God bless you
— Mohandas (@tgmohandas) April 3, 2018
Thank You Brother Viru. God bless you
— SAIRAM.K (@sairamk66) April 2, 2018
Ironically, Sehwag had found himself neck-deep in controversy for a tweet on Madhu’s death that was accused of being communal. While as many as 16 people were arrested by the Kerala police on charges of beating Madhu to death, Sehwag chose to give a communal colour to it by tweeting only the names of the accused who were Muslim.
The tweet, which was later taken down following massive backlash, read:
“Madhu stole 1 kg rice. A mob of Ubaid, Hussain and Abdul Kareem lynched the poor tribal man to death. This is a disgrace to a civilised society and I feel ashamed that this happens and kuch farak nahi padta.”
Sehwag had then issued an apology, saying that his previous tweet was not meant to be communal but that it was based on incomplete information.
Accused of stealing rice and groceries worth Rs 200, Madhu was confronted and assaulted with sticks by a group of men, who then handed him over to the police. All, because Madhu, who living away from his family in the forest, was hungry. When the police were taking him to the station, Madhu vomited blood and died before he could get medical help.
Madhu’s killing had sent shock waves within and outside Kerala, as the act had brazenly exposed the living conditions of tribal people and how people outside tribal settlements treated them.