Actor, film critic, political analyst and Dalit intellectual Kathi Mahesh passed away on Saturday in Chennai following a road accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district. Many believed he would recover, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Mahesh’s death has come as a big shock to the Dalit community as he was one of the few activists who fought for the development of the community. Now, prominent Dalit leader Manda Krishna has demanded judicial enquiry with a sitting judge of the High Court on the film critic’s death.
Attending Mahesh’s funeral in the Chittor district, Manda Krishna raised several questions about the accident and the treatment of Mahesh.
“When Mahesh was sitting in the front seat of the car, how the person next to him could have survived without a minor injury,” the MRPS leader questioned.
He said that Kathi had many enemies, and the car was also suspected to be damaged on the side where the popular critic was sitting. Krishna also expressed doubts over the medical reports, which said Mahesh’s condition was stable.