Thiruvananthapuram: A complaint has been lodged alleging that an Iranian student of Kerala University’s Kariavattom campus was denied access to a swimming pool at Karyavattom. Sareh Mousavi, a postdoctoral student at Karyavattom, filed a complaint with the police and the Human Rights Commission stating that she was barred from using the swimming pool at Greenfield Stadium.

According to the complaint, Sareh—an international swimmer—and her friends visited the pool on April 19 evening. A swimming pool assistant allegedly denied them entry, citing that they were foreign nationals, and verbally abused them. The complaint further states that the official told them only Indians were allowed to use the pool.

Sareh, who is married to a Malayali and resides in Sreekaryam, filed a complaint with the Kazhakkoottam police the same day. However, alleging lack of proper investigation, she later approached the Human Rights Commission. The swimming pool, located on land leased by Kerala University, is operated by a private company.

Human Rights Commission: Legal Right to Access

The Human Rights Commission, chaired by Justice Alexander Thomas, stated that the Iranian student has the legal right to use the swimming pool and directed the Sports and Youth Affairs Department to ensure necessary facilities.

The order came in response to Sareh Mousavi’s complaint alleging racial remarks by the person in charge of the pool, who reportedly said that only Indian citizens were permitted to use it.

The Commission also directed that staff should not interfere when the complainant uses the pool. It further instructed the City Police Commissioner to seek explanations from the Kazhakkoottam Assistant Commissioner and SHO—who failed to submit a report or appear before the Commission—and to initiate legal action against them if required.

The Director of the Sports Department informed the Commission that there are no restrictions preventing the complainant from using the swimming pool.