Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of the Opposition in the Keralam Assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Tuesday accused the UDF administration of deploying law enforcement to crush democratic demonstrations, claiming the government was adopting fascist practices akin to the Sangh Parivar.
In a statement shared on social media, Vijayan highlighted recent instances of alleged police violence, pointing to an incident involving Students Federation of India members in Palakkad as well as a lathicharge directed at members of the Communist Party of India's student wing at a Kerala University hostel last month. He asserted that police violence is escalating steadily.
The senior Marxist leader argued that these occurrences demonstrate a clear breakdown of responsibilities within the Home Department.
He cautioned that unless the administration swiftly controls the police force and ensures adherence to legal standards, the region will face significant public demonstrations.
The former chief minister asserted that SFI members, including female students, faced severe physical abuse in Palakkad by a police official who was reportedly intoxicated.
Vijayan noted the students were demonstrating against the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists and accused the state authorities of trying to stifle their dissent through the alleged use of batons and illicit substances, mirroring Sangh Parivar methods.
Even though the students promptly reported the matter to officials and television broadcasts displayed footage of the event, accountability was delayed, and fellow officers quickly evacuated the accused policeman from the scene, he stated, referencing the Palakkad episode.
The opposition leader argued that authorities only consented to suspend the official involved after the matter was fiercely contested within the state legislature.
It is inappropriate for any administration to delay disciplinary measures against wrongdoers until the opposition raises the issue in the Assembly, he added.
Vijayan additionally maintained that no measures have been enacted against the officers who allegedly targeted SFI participants at the university hostel late on September 30 and later intimidated students online.
He contended that the UDF administration has an obligation to take disciplinary steps against such individuals within the security forces.
The trend of utilizing such rogue officers to silence citizens participating in peaceful protests is intolerable, he concluded.