A wave of protests has erupted at Charla in Meenja panchayat in Kasaragod, Kerala, following Kerala Gramin Bank’s decision to auction the house of Thirtha Prasad, an endosulfan victim. The Miyapadavu branch of the bank has initiated foreclosure proceedings, leaving the family in despair.
Thirtha, the daughter of Prasad and Beena, has lived with severe physical challenges since birth due to endosulfan exposure. Her parents, overwhelmed by the burden of debts incurred for her treatment, are devasted by the bank’s move.
The family says it has spent lakhs of rupees on medical care, relying on loans and even selling off some of their belongings to meet the expenses. Though they received a government assistance of ₹5 lakh as endosulfan victims, it was barely sufficient to cover a portion of their debt. “The pension we get as endosulfan victims is our only relief,” says Ms. Beena.
In 2014, Mr. Prasad, a lorry driver, mortgaged their house for ₹2.5 lakh to fund Thirtha’s medical treatment to complete unfinished plastering working on their house. However, despite repaying about ₹1.5 lakh, financial hardships prevented further payments. Over time, the accumulating interest led the debt so soar to ₹5 lakh. With defaulted payment, the bank decided to proceed with the auction.
Ms. Beena says that during the COVID-19 pandemic, her husband could not go for work and repay the loan. Though the government issued a moratorium, when they went to deposit the money, the bank demanded to pay the whole pending amount together. However, they could not pay, and the debt has now accrued to ₹5 lakh, she says.
Bank officials have informed the family that foreclosure can be avoided if ₹2.5 lakh is repaid immediately. Moving forward with its proceeding, the bank has erected a flex board outside the house announcing the auction on February 10. The banner, placed on Monday, evening has further deepened the family’s anguish.
In a desperate bid to save their house, Thirtha’s parents have submitted a petition to the Collector, the Chief Minister, Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, urging intervention to exempt their property from the auction. However, there has been no relief so far, she says.
“When we approached the panchayat, it said this is a bank matters and is out of their hands,” she said.
Activists from Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnani have condemned the bank’s move, questioning the accountability of the authorities.
Despite assurances from the government that no endosulfan victim will be evicted due to foreclosure, the bank is going ahead with action, said Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan, secretary of the Munnani.
“The cell formed to address the issues of endosulfan victims has not convened for the past two years. Where should the affected families turn to for justice?,” he asked.
Published - January 30, 2025 04:31 pm IST
