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Political tensions erupted into violence in Kerala’s Perambra town, with CPM state secretary MV Govindan accusing the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of deliberately orchestrating unrest and attacking police with explosives.
Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Govindan sharply criticized the UDF for what he described as a premeditated plan to incite violence following campus election results. He specifically called out Congress MP Shafi Parambil for leading protests that ultimately descended into clashes with law enforcement.
“UDF workers staged the protest with the clear intention of creating violence. They had collected stones and explosives beforehand. When police intervened, they hurled explosives at officers, injuring many. Then, to save face, they accused the police of attacking them,” Govindan stated.
The confrontation originated from tensions related to student union elections at CKGM Government College in Perambra on October 9. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), won 15 of the available seats, while the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) alliance secured five. Despite having fewer seats, the KSU-MSF bloc managed to win the chairperson position, triggering initial clashes between rival student groups.
What began as campus rivalry quickly spread beyond college boundaries into Perambra town the following day. The situation intensified when supporters from both political fronts encountered each other near Perambra bus stand during separate rallies on October 10. Police intervention sparked violent confrontations that left multiple people injured, including several police officers and MP Shafi Parambil himself.
According to Govindan, the escalation was not coincidental but part of a broader UDF strategy. He alleged the opposition had conspired to ignite riots throughout Kerala following SFI’s recent electoral successes at multiple campuses, including Calicut University, where the left-wing student organization has traditionally maintained strong support.
The political temperature in Kerala has been rising across multiple fronts. When questioned about Enforcement Directorate summons issued to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son Vivek Kiran, Govindan visibly lost composure, refusing to comment and accusing media outlets of propagating false information.
“This kind of allegation will continue until the next Assembly elections. But nobody can unsettle the CPM with such baseless claims,” he asserted, suggesting the investigation was politically motivated to undermine the Left Democratic Front government.
Govindan also addressed other contentious issues facing Kerala, including the recent hijab controversy at a CBSE school in Ernakulam. He criticized the Congress party along with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaat-e-Islami for allegedly “communalizing” the dispute and engaging in divisive religious politics across the state.
The CPM leader dismissed opposition allegations regarding the ongoing Sabarimala gold scam investigation, maintaining that the probe was proceeding appropriately under the LDF government. “Ayyappan’s gold will be recovered,” he assured, referring to the ornaments belonging to the famous Hindu temple that had allegedly been misappropriated.
This latest exchange highlights the increasingly polarized political landscape in Kerala, where traditional rivalries between the Communist-led LDF and Congress-led UDF continue to intensify ahead of future electoral contests. The Perambra incident represents just one flashpoint in a state where student politics frequently serves as a barometer for broader political tensions, often escalating beyond campus boundaries into community-wide confrontations.
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9 Comments
This looks like a highly charged political situation. I hope both sides can de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution through dialogue rather than violence.
I agree, resorting to explosives and clashes with police is very concerning. All parties should prioritize public safety and democratic processes.
Student union elections can be contentious, but political leaders should set a better example of resolving disputes through lawful, non-violent means.
The details around the alleged violence and accusations of premeditation are murky. I hope further investigation can shed more light on the sequence of events and motivations.
It’s concerning to hear of injuries to police during the clashes. All citizens, regardless of political affiliation, have a responsibility to obey the law and avoid escalating tensions.
I agree, the use of explosives against law enforcement is very troubling and unacceptable. Peaceful protest is a democratic right, but that clearly crossed a line.
Accusations of orchestrating violence and propaganda are serious claims. I’d like to see more independent verification of the facts before drawing conclusions on who is responsible.
You raise a fair point. Reliable, objective reporting is crucial in these situations to understand what really happened.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific allegations made by the CPM state secretary against the UDF and Congress MP. Claims of premeditation and inciting violence require strong evidence.