Archive · 16 Dec 2025
IUML 'purification ritual' sparks Left protests in Kozhikode
In Kozhikode, Kerala, some people from the IUML group did a ritual with water and brooms outside the panchayat office.
This happened because the former president of the panchayat was from the Dalit community.
The CPI(M)'s youth wing, DYFI, protested against this, saying it was disrespectful.
The former president, Unni Vengeri, said it was emotionally hurtful and that the IUML acted with a particular agenda.
The police said the protest was peaceful, and no complaints were filed about the ritual.
The IUML is part of the Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala.
IUML activists allegedly performed a 'purification ritual' at the Changaroth panchayat office in Kozhikode, Kerala.
The ritual was in response to the former Dalit panchayat president, Unni Vengeri, from the LDF winning the election.
DYFI, the youth wing of CPI(M), protested against the ritual, calling it a casteist insult.
The protest was peaceful, and no complaints were filed with the police as of December 16, 2023.
Unni Vengeri claimed that the IUML acted with a particular agenda, unlike the Congress, and that the ritual was emotionally hurtful.
- Who
- IUML activists and DYFI (CPI(M) youth wing)
- What
- Alleged 'purification ritual' and subsequent protest
- When
- Incident on December 15, 2023; protest on December 16, 2023
- Where
- Changaroth panchayat office, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Why
- Alleged casteist insult due to former Dalit panchayat president
- Location
- Changaroth panchayat office, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Date of Incident
- December 15, 2023
- Protest Date
- December 16, 2023
- Organizations Involved
- DYFI (CPI(M) youth wing), IUML, UDF, LDF
- Former Panchayat President
- Unni Vengeri (Dalit community)
- Nature of Protest
- Peaceful march and protest
- Complaints Received
- None (as of December 16, 2023)