Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Kerala Hostel Clash Leaves 160 SFI Youth Congress Booked
A political march in Thiruvananthapuram turned into a fight near a university hostel.
The march was protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Youth Congress supporters said people inside the hostel threw stones, bottles and petrol bombs.
SFI supporters said the marchers threw burning torches into the hostel first.
Stones and other objects were then thrown by both sides.
Police entered the hostel and used batons to stop the violence.
Several students were reportedly hurt, and SFI called for protests across Kerala.
Police booked 160 people in two separate cases while investigating what happened.
A Youth Congress-KSU march against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar turned violent near a university hostel in Thiruvananthapuram.
Youth Congress activists alleged that stones, beer bottles and petrol bombs were thrown from inside the hostel.
SFI-DYFI activists alleged that marchers threw burning torches into the hostel compound, near a parked car and windows.
Police entered the hostel and conducted a lathi charge, with several students reportedly injured.
Museum police registered separate cases against 80 activists from each side under multiple laws, including non-bailable provisions.
- Who
- Youth Congress and KSU activists, SFI and DYFI activists, university students, Kerala Police and political leaders were involved or responded.
- What
- A clash involving stones, beer bottles, burning torches and alleged petrol bombs occurred near a university men's hostel; 160 people were booked.
- When
- Around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
- Where
- Near a university men's hostel in the Palayam area of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Why
- The Youth Congress march was held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while both sides gave conflicting accounts of what triggered the violence.
SFI and CPI(M) Account
Youth Congress Account
What triggered the violence
SFI and CPI(M) Account
SFI activists and CPI(M) leaders said marchers threw burning torches into the hostel compound and attacked students, describing the incident as planned and one-sided.
Youth Congress Account
Youth Congress activists said the confrontation began when stones, beer bottles and alleged petrol bombs were thrown at their procession from inside the hostel.
Role of the police
SFI and CPI(M) Account
SFI and left leaders alleged that police assaulted students without provocation and acted on specific instructions, urging impartial action.
Youth Congress Account
The reports do not provide a detailed Youth Congress response to the allegations about police conduct.
Treatment of injured students
SFI and CPI(M) Account
Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that injured students were blocked while seeking hospital treatment and that some were attacked again.
Youth Congress Account
The reports do not provide a Youth Congress response to these allegations.
- Location
- Palayam area, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Time
- Around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday
- Protest issue
- Opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- People booked
- 160 total: 80 Youth Congress-KSU activists and 80 SFI-DYFI activists
- Reported objects
- Stones, beer bottles, burning torches and alleged petrol bombs
- Police response
- Police entered the hostel and conducted a lathi charge
- Planned protests
- SFI announced a statewide class boycott and protests at the Secretariat and police headquarters
