Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Sabarimala gold smuggling issue triggered protests at the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday, with Opposition MLAs staging a sit-in protest at the entrance of the House. 

The Congress-led Opposition staged a walkout after an adjournment motion over the Payyannur martyr’s fund misappropriation case was denied. 

Following the ruling issued by Speaker AN Shamseer, Opposition leader VD Satheesan questioned the basis for denying the permission, and several UDF MLAs trooped into the well of the House and shouted slogans before the Speaker's dais.

"On what basis or rule of the House is permission being denied to discuss the issue of violence being perpetrated by the CPM against those who speak out against the Left party. How could you say it has no urgent importance? Where else will we raise serious issues like this," Satheesan asked.

The opposition MLAs continued to shout slogans in front of the Speaker's dais for some time after which they walked out of the House.

Opposition MLAs CR Mahesh and Najeeb Kanthapuram began a satyagraha at the Assembly gate, alleging interference by the Chief Minister’s Office in the investigation into the Sabarimala gold smuggling case.

The protest was announced after the Speaker invited members to raise questions during the Question Hour. The Opposition informed the House that the satyagraha was being launched in protest against alleged intervention by the Chief Minister’s Office in the SIT probe.

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said the Opposition would continue to cooperate with House proceedings even as the protest went on outside.

Responding to the allegations, the Chief Minister said the investigation into the Sabarimala gold smuggling case is being conducted as per the directions of the High Court, and that the protest being staged by the Opposition was, in effect, a protest against the High Court itself.

Meanwhile, the Opposition also raised the Payyannur martyr’s fund misappropriation case in the Assembly. A Congress protest march in Payyannur over the alleged fund scam was reportedly attacked by CPM workers recently. However, the adjournment motion moved by the Opposition was rejected, prompting Opposition MLAs to stage a walkout from the House.