Police Action Defended Amid Protests

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday defended the police action during a Students' Federation of India (SFI) protest in Thiruvananthapuram, stating that water cannons were deployed only after protesters confronted and attacked police personnel. "The police resorted to using water cannons only after protesters unnecessarily attacked and confronted police personnel," he told reporters, adding that the use of water cannons was "nothing new" and had been employed over the past decade with no change in the water used.

The comments came a day after clashes broke out during a march organised by the SFI's Thiruvananthapuram district committee, held in connection with the full rendition of Vande Mataram at an event attended by the Governor at the University of Kerala. SFI activists alleged that several protesters were injured in the police action and accused officers of using excessive force against students.

SFI Alleges Assault on Leaders

The SFI on Wednesday staged a march to the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, protesting the alleged police assault on its student leaders, including central committee member Arya Prasad and state secretariat member Vaishnavi Shaji, during a demonstration at Kerala University. The organisation said Prasad and Shaji sustained head and facial injuries and were subsequently hospitalised. The SFI Central Executive Committee condemned the police action, alleging that women leaders were targeted during the university march, and demanded a proper investigation and action against those responsible.

Separately, a clash was reported during an SFI-led student march to the Palakkad Superintendent of Police office, where police used water cannons four times to disperse protesters. That march was organised in protest against the alleged assault of an SFI state secretariat member by police during the previous day's march to Kerala University.

Home Minister Questions Protests

Chennithala questioned the need for large-scale demonstrations against a government that has been in office for only 100 days. "This government has been in office for only 100 days. What has happened in these 100 days to justify such a massive attempt at violence?" he asked. He alleged that the protests aimed to consolidate political power ahead of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) full conference. "It is clear to everyone that this is an attempt to consolidate power ahead of the party's full conference," he said, adding that internal differences within the CPI(M) should not be concealed by using students and youth as pawns.

Chennithala also questioned why protesters gathered outside the DGP's office and the university premises, asking which demands of the students had been denied by the government. He urged protesters to exercise restraint and give the government more time.

Allegations of Contaminated Water Rejected

The Home Minister rejected the Opposition's allegation that contaminated water had been used in water cannons during the protests, terming it baseless propaganda. He also said an SIT would be constituted to probe alleged fraud related to plans to bring the Argentina football team to Kerala, with a comprehensive investigation and strict action against those found guilty.

Response from SFI

In response, the SFI accused the UDF government of compromising on issues concerning universities and the education sector. The student organisation has been holding protests over the alleged assault and has intensified its agitation with the Secretariat march.