UDF, LDF Trade Charges in Kerala Assembly Over Youth Congress-SFI Clash

The ruling UDF and opposition LDF on Monday traded accusations in the Kerala Assembly over the September 30 clash between Youth Congress and SFI activists near a university hostel, with both sides questioning the conduct of the other and the police.

The exchange followed an adjournment notice moved by LDF legislators V Joy and K Rajan seeking a discussion on the incident. Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan denied permission after Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala presented the government's account of the clash.

Chennithala said Youth Congress activists had organised a night march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. When the protesters reached near the hostel, Students Federation of India (SFI) activists allegedly hooted at them and threw stones and beer bottles, triggering a confrontation that required police intervention.

Cases were registered against around 75 activists each from the SFI and Youth Congress, and four people had been arrested, the minister said. Police personnel were injured, while batons and other police property were damaged, he added.

Chennithala also said allegations that a Cantonment police officer had posted threatening messages against SFI activists on Facebook were being examined. He termed such conduct unacceptable and similarly criticised marches by SFI activists to police officers' residences.

Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, however, alleged that police action against SFI activists was excessive. He and Joy claimed Youth Congress activists threw flaming torches and beer bottles into the hostel premises after a power cut, and accused the police of assaulting students. Vijayan also questioned the government's response to Yuva Morcha activists allegedly blocking ministers' vehicles, accusing it of showing leniency towards the Sangh Parivar.

During the debate, Joy displayed a police baton, claiming it had been used to assault SFI activists. The Speaker subsequently ordered that the baton be taken into the custody of the House. The LDF staged a walkout after its adjournment notice was rejected. Joy denied threatening police officers, saying he had warned that police brutality could result in a death.