BJP intensifies protests across Keralam after attack on party’s State office, waves black flag at Minister Roji M. John

In the aftermath of political violence and clashes between youth organizations in Thiruvananthapuram, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its affiliates intensified protests across Kerala on Thursday. The BJP State unit had called for a State-wide agitation following an attack on its headquarters, prompting the party to march to the Secretariat and confront police barricades.

Activists attempted to push through barriers and engaged in verbal altercations with law enforcement when officers tried to prevent them from overturning the barricades.

The protests erupted in response to unidentified individuals hurling bottles and stones at the BJP headquarters the previous night, as well as the alleged attack on BJP national executive committee member P.K. Krishnadas's vehicle. BJP spokespersons condemned the attacks, stating that such actions challenge the basic principles of democracy. They argued that resorting to violence when unable to engage opponents politically is not fitting for democratic politics.

The BJP also targeted Higher Education Minister Roji M. John in Chengannur, where activists waved black flags in his direction. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister O.J. Janeesh, who serves as the Youth Congress president, faced criticism from the BJP, with party officials alleging that he was unfit to hold his position. BJP National Secretary K. Surendran questioned why the State Home Department had not registered a case against the attackers of the black-flag protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Kollam.

The Mararji Bhavan attackers remain unidentified, with police examining CCTV footage in an attempt to identify them.