‘If League leadership fails to control criminal gangs, SFI will resist them’: MV Govindan
Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM on Friday issued a strong condemnation over the alleged assault on SFI activists during the Calicut University campus union elections, blaming both the IUML and the police for failing to avert the violence. The party further cautioned of a firm response if the League leadership fails to keep its cadres under control.
Addressing reporters here, CPM state secretary M V Govindan alleged that members of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF)—the student wing of the IUML—alongside Kerala Students' Union (KSU) workers, targeted SFI leaders and students with murderous intent following the SFI's triumph in the university union polls. KSU functions as the student wing of the Congress.
Govindan claimed the assault occurred right before police personnel, who remained passive onlookers. He asserted that the violence stemmed from frustration after the SFI secured all key posts in the election despite concerted efforts by UDF-backed student groups to defeat them.
According to Govindan, the attackers barged into classrooms and libraries to assault students, including women. He alleged that they used a gas cutter to tear down the SFI flagpole, brandished weapons like axes, and vandalised several vehicles.
He detailed that MSF activists extended the violence to a local hospital, targeting SFI state joint secretary N Adhil, Malappuram district president M Sujin, and other cadres who were visiting injured comrades. The attackers allegedly forced their way into the casualty ward to assault them in full view of other patients.
Characterising the MSF activists as a "criminal gang," Govindan demanded strict legal measures against the perpetrators and called on the IUML leadership, including senior leader P K Kunhalikutty, to denounce the violence and rein in their workers.
"The IUML should take a proper stand against this anti-democratic attack. If the League leadership fails to control this criminal gang, the SFI will resist them," he warned.
Accusing the police and state administration of shielding criminals, Govindan argued that the current atmosphere allows the children of wealthy individuals and senior officials to operate with impunity while ordinary citizens suffer violence. He announced that protests would be organised against the police and government over their inaction, showing video clips of the alleged incident during the media interaction.
His comments came a day after law enforcement booked 15 MSF activists for allegedly attacking SFI leaders at a hospital in Thenhipalam, Malappuram district, in the early hours of Thursday. That case was lodged at the Thenhipalam police station following a formal complaint by SFI Malappuram district secretary Adhil.
Clashes between SFI activists and KSU-MSF workers had initially erupted on Wednesday evening, leaving the Thenhipalam Station House Officer injured. Police officials confirmed that two separate cases were registered concerning the violence on the university campus.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala took exception to Govindan's statements regarding the clashes, remarking that the public expects greater maturity from a senior political leader. Asserting that legal proceedings would follow against all offenders regardless of affiliation, Chennithala noted that student election skirmishes were not unprecedented.
"Is it appropriate for a party secretary like M V Govindan to make such remarks? People should decide whether it is right to use such language over a clash between students during a college union election," Chennithala said while speaking to reporters in Haripad. (PTI)