Palakkad (Kerala): A Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activist was hacked allegedly by Bajrang Dal goons in Kerala. Kunhappu Marakkar (41), Ottappalam mandalam president of SDPI, was assaulted while he was on his way to Varode in the morning of 21 April. 

The motorcycle he was riding was hit by a car in which the assailants came and once he was thrown to the ground and injured, he was attacked with swords and knives. Marakkar, who had sustained serious injuries throughout his body, has been admitted at Thrissur Medical College hospital. Both his hands received wounds while he tried to thwart  the attacks on his head. Hospital authorities said that he is still in critical situation. Ottappalam town observed hartal on 2 April in protest against this brutal attack. It is believed that political rivalry is the reason behind the attack. SDPI and Popular Front leaders visited the victim at the hospital.

They asked the authorities to bring the culprits to justice at the earliest and investigate the conspiracy behind this brutal attack. They also said that it was a fascist attempt to silence the political rivals by Hindutva forces. Politicians and human rights activists, who were very vocal when a lecturer was attacked allegedly by local PFI workers for his blasphemy, are now silent.