Kerala Opposition Calls for CM to Resign as Home Minister
Kerala CM faces calls to quit Home Ministry amid police torture claims.
V.D. Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, has called for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to step down from his role as Home Minister, citing widespread reports of alleged police torture across the state. Addressing reporters in Kochi, the senior Congress leader accused Vijayan of losing control over the Home Department, claiming that police stations have become akin to “gulags” reminiscent of the Stalinist era, where innocent individuals face torture.
Satheesan criticized the Chief Minister for maintaining a “studied silence” despite numerous complaints of police atrocities emerging from districts statewide. He alleged that a caucus within the Chief Minister’s office has overtaken the police hierarchy, undermining its functionality. Highlighting a specific case, Satheesan pointed to a complaint from the family of a CPI(M) worker in Pathanamthitta, who reportedly died due to police torture after being framed in a false case orchestrated by members of his own party.
The Congress leader also lambasted the state government for organizing separate religious events, such as a minority meet following the global Ayyappa Sangamam, calling them a “butt of ridicule” ahead of elections. “The government should not be turned into a joke,” he remarked, questioning the purpose of holding events for different castes and religions.
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Satheesan further accused the state Health Department of failing to address the spread of amoebic encephalitis, which has claimed 16 lives. He criticized the department’s inability to issue adequate public warnings, stating, “The department itself is on a ventilator.”
When asked about suspended MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil’s participation in the upcoming assembly session starting Monday, Satheesan said the decision would be made by KPCC president Sunny Joseph at the appropriate time.
The opposition leader’s remarks intensify political tensions in Kerala, spotlighting allegations of administrative mismanagement and human rights concerns under Vijayan’s leadership as the state approaches critical electoral and public health challenges.
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