Malappuram: LDF leader K T Jaleel has condemned a "criminal act of violent politics" after Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) activists allegedly beheading a goat after parading it with his image around its neck. The incident took place in Malappuram during a victory procession celebrating Jaleel's defeat in the Thavanoor Assembly constituency.

Following the disturbing display, Tirur Police registered a case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and issued notices to three individuals. Jaleel responded to the act in a defiant Facebook post titled, "Today a goat's head, tomorrow mine?" asserting that even if a "communal coalition" defeats him a thousand times, he will not "surrender”.
 

The former minister attributed the "cut-throat politics" to the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami, challenging those behind the act by stating that anyone with the courage to cut his head can come forward. Jaleel shared a video showing the activists parading the live goat with a caricature of his face around its neck before beheading it and parading it on a stick. He noted that Malappuram belongs to those who protect heads, not those who cut them off.

Jaleel lost the Thavanur seat to Congress candidate V S Joy by a margin of 14,647 votes in the Assembly elections held on April 9. Despite the result, he vowed to continue his fight against such extreme intimidation tactics.

(With PTI inputs)