Kozhikode, Kerala: Victory celebrations following the local body election results in Changaroth panchayat took a controversial turn after Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) workers allegedly splashed cow-dung-mixed water at the panchayat office, prompting the CPM to raise allegations of caste-based insult.

In the latest local body elections, the UDF, comprising the Congress and the IUML, regained control of Changaroth panchayat with a decisive victory, winning 17 of the 19 seats. The result ended the tenure of the CPM-led LDF governing committee.

During the previous term, the LDF had taken control of the panchayat after unseating the UDF administration. As the president’s post was reserved, a member of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community served as panchayat president.

What happened on results day

The alleged incident occurred on the day the election results were announced. Workers who gathered to celebrate the UDF victory reportedly splashed cow-dung-mixed water in front of the Changaroth panchayat office and swept the premises with brooms as part of the celebrations.

The CPM said the act took place soon after the defeat of the SC president.

The CPM alleged that the action amounted to a caste-based insult, claiming the panchayat office was targeted because the outgoing president belonged to the Scheduled Caste community.

According to the CPM, the splashing of dung-mixed water was carried out under the leadership of Faisal, the Youth League’s panchayat treasurer.

The CPM said it would move forward with legal action, citing the alleged caste-based insult against a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community.

League and UDF reject allegations

Responding to the CPM’s charges, League leaders said only ordinary water was splashed during the celebrations. They maintained that the incident was the work of immature youths who acted without discretion and that it was neither planned nor politically sanctioned.

The UDF also said the act was not carried out with the knowledge or approval of its leadership. Changaroth panchayat UDF chairman Moosa Kothambra said the protest was directed against the governing committee and not against the panchayat president personally. He added that there was no intention to target any individual or community.

He further said the UDF regretted the incident if it caused inconvenience or distress, reiterating that the celebration was mismanaged by a few individuals and should not be viewed as a caste-based act.