On February 23, 2018, Kerala witnessed one of the worst-ever human lynching incidents to have occurred in the country, when Madhu, a tribal man, was beaten to death by a seemingly apathetic mob on the mere suspicion of having stolen groceries worth ₹200.
Five months later, the deceased man’s sister, Chandrika, will now assume the post of a civil police officer, after she was recruited into the state police force, along with 73 other individuals who belong to Scheduled Tribes, on Monday.
What is even more heartbreaking is the fact that Chandrika had already cleared the exam, and her interview was scheduled for February 24. Little did she know that her life would turn upside down a day before the much-anticipated interview.
Shattered by the painful loss, Chandrika wasn’t even in a state to consider attending the interview and had almost given up on her childhood dream.
However, her family insisted that she go ahead, and with a heavy heart, Chandrika arrived at the interview centre at AHADS (Attappady Hills Area Development Society) in Attappady.
“When they came to know that I was Madhu’s sister, I was the first person who was called to be interviewed. I entered the room and started crying. I am dedicating this to my Ettan,” a sobbing Chandrika told The News Minute.
The new scheme, under which Chandrika and other members from ST strata were recruited, has been recently instated by the state government across Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad districts, with the objective of increasing the representation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the governance sector.
The young woman’s recruitment is a testament to the realisation of her lifelong dream of donning the khaki, and had Madhu been alive, he would have beamed with pride at Chandrika’s accomplishment.
“I am very happy. Madhu always wanted me to get a government job,” a teary-eyed Chandrika said, reports India Times.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)