Kerala CM alleges police misuse to quell opposition protests

Pinarayi Vijayan, the veteran Communist leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, has raised serious allegations against the current UDF administration, claiming it is misusing state police machinery to curb opposition protests and restrict democratic expression.

The allegation comes amid growing tensions between the ruling coalition government and opposition parties in the southern state. Vijayan contended that the police force, traditionally viewed as a neutral custodian of law and order, has been deployed selectively to prevent opposition-led demonstrations while allowing government-favored gatherings to proceed unobstructed.

The former CM's accusation reflects a broader pattern of political contestation in Kerala, where opposition groups have occasionally clashed with law enforcement during public demonstrations. Such allegations of police bias are common in Indian politics, though they remain contentious and often disputed by ruling governments.

Vijayan's remarks underscore the escalating political temperature in Kerala, a state known for its vibrant democratic traditions and active civil society. The opposition leader's assertion that police neutrality has been compromised adds another layer to the ongoing political discourse in the state assembly and public sphere.