Village mourns ‘god’s child’ Kalu Ram

A pall of gloom descended over Nimaj village in Rajasthan's Pali district, following the brutal lynching of one of its boys Kalu Ram in far away Bengaluru.

Villagers here remember the boy, whom they fondly called Kalu, as god's child, an irony given that he was beaten to death for appearing like a kidnapper of children to his attackers.

"He was soft-spoken, shy and timid," said Nimaj sarpanch Praladh Ram. "He'd stammer if surrounded by a group, but would never think twice to help those in need."

Praladh and others spent a sleepless night on Wednesday, after an officer from the nearby police station broke the news of Kalu's lynching. The video of the lynching, which had gone viral, had also reached the village.

"We could hardly sleep or eat after news of the lynching. The video has only made the tears unstoppable. We can't get him back, but his killers should be punished," said Kalu's cousin and neighbor, Pradeep Ram.

Hailing from a poor family, Kalu's education did not cross the primary level. He is survived by his younger brother Sona Ram (22), who is also a daily wage labourer. Their parents Bachana Ram and Sugani Devi died of tuberculosis 12 years ago.

"He meant the world to me, especially after our parents' passing. I don't see a purpose to live," said a devastated Sona, who anxiously waited for Kalu's body.

Two of Kalu's uncles left for Bengaluru on Thursday to collect his remains after villagers pooled in money to pay for their train journey.