Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Congress Suspends Two Workers After Ramya Haridas Clash
A disagreement began because a social media post questioned why an MLA’s personal staff member attended a local meeting.
The disagreement grew when the MLA and others confronted local party workers.
A physical fight then happened, and video of it spread.
Ramya Haridas said party workers attacked and threatened her.
Other people involved said Haridas and her associate entered a house and frightened a young girl.
Police opened cases based on complaints from both sides.
The Congress party created a committee to find out what happened.
The committee heard some people, but Haridas was away in Delhi and had not yet appeared in person.
The party later suspended two workers, Palayam Pradeep and Sajad, saying their conduct damaged the party’s reputation.
A physical confrontation involving Congress MLA Ramya Haridas and local party workers occurred in Chirayinkeezhu after a dispute over a WhatsApp message and social media post.
The post questioned the presence of Haridas’s personal staff member, Palayam Pradeep, at a block panchayat committee meeting.
Haridas alleged that local Congress leaders attacked, threatened and kicked her, while Sajith Muttambalam and Sajad alleged that Haridas and Pradeep trespassed into a residence and intimidated a minor girl.
Police registered separate FIRs, including a case against 15 Congress workers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The KPCC ordered an inquiry and later suspended Pradeep and Sajad for alleged organisational indiscipline that brought disrepute to the party.
- Who
- Congress MLA Ramya Haridas, her personal staff member Palayam Pradeep, local Congress workers including Sajad, district panchayat member Sajith Muttambalam, Kerala Police and the KPCC inquiry committee.
- What
- A physical clash led to police cases against both sides, a KPCC inquiry and the suspension of two Congress workers.
- When
- The confrontation occurred on Friday night; the KPCC suspension was reported on Sunday, September 6. The articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Chirayinkeezhu, Kerala, including the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital and a residence identified by one side as the location of the confrontation.
- Why
- The dispute began over a WhatsApp message and social media post questioning Pradeep’s attendance at a block panchayat committee meeting.
Haridas’s account
Local workers’ account
What happened during the clash
Haridas’s account
Ramya Haridas alleged that local Congress leaders manhandled, threatened and kicked her, and she sought treatment at Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital.
Local workers’ account
Sajith Muttambalam and Sajad alleged that Haridas and Palayam Pradeep confronted them over the WhatsApp post, and that the pair trespassed into a private residence and intimidated a minor girl.
Cause of the confrontation
Haridas’s account
Haridas and her associates confronted local activists over a social media post concerning her personal staff member’s attendance at a block panchayat meeting.
Local workers’ account
Sajith and Sajad said the confrontation over the WhatsApp post led to the scuffle and rejected Haridas’s characterization of the incident through their account.
Party response
Haridas’s account
Haridas’s allegations led to a police case against 15 Congress workers under criminal law and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Local workers’ account
Sajad and Palayam Pradeep were both suspended by the KPCC after a preliminary inquiry cited organisational indiscipline and reputational damage to the party.
- Incident
- A physical altercation involving Ramya Haridas and Congress workers occurred in Chirayinkeezhu.
- Initial dispute
- A social media post questioned the attendance of Haridas’s personal staff member Palayam Pradeep at a block panchayat committee meeting.
- Police action
- Kerala Police registered two separate FIRs based on complaints from both factions.
- Case against workers
- A case was registered against 15 Congress workers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- Counter-case
- A separate case was registered against Ramya Haridas and her associate following a complaint by Sajad.
- Party inquiry
- The KPCC appointed a committee led by M.M. Hassan, with Ramani P. Nair and Neyyattinkara Sanal as members.
- Disciplinary action
- The KPCC suspended Palayam Pradeep and Sajad from the party’s primary membership for serious organisational indiscipline.
- Haridas’s participation
- Hassan said he spoke to Haridas by phone while she was in New Delhi and would meet her after her return.
