World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Kerala private bus operators plan indefinite hunger strike from October 27
The Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation plans an indefinite hunger strike from October 27.
Federation president K.K. Thomas and vice-president Saranya Manoj will fast in front of the State Secretariat in Kerala.
The operators say the government’s Priyadarshini free-ride scheme has harmed private bus businesses.
They also want bus fares increased, including student concession fares.
The federation is asking the government to act on recommendations from an expert committee led by Padmakumar IPS.
Hundreds of bus owners had already marched to the Secretariat to press their demands.
The strike is set to continue indefinitely from October 27, but the federation’s demands have not yet been reported as accepted.
Office-bearers of the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation plan to begin an indefinite hunger strike on October 27.
The fast will take place in front of the Secretariat.
The federation says the State government’s Priyadarshini free-ride scheme has adversely affected the private bus sector.
Its demands include protecting the industry, increasing bus fares and implementing recommendations from an expert committee.
The announcement followed a march and protest demonstration at the Secretariat.
- Who
- Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation office-bearers K.K. Thomas and Saranya Manoj will undertake the fast.
- What
- They plan an indefinite hunger strike to demand measures to protect the private bus sector.
- When
- From October 27, 2026.
- Where
- In front of the Secretariat in Kerala.
- Why
- The federation says the Priyadarshini free-ride scheme has adversely affected private bus operators. It also seeks higher fares and implementation of expert committee recommendations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bus owners marched to the Secretariat and staged a protest demonstration.
The federation announced that its office-bearers would begin an indefinite hunger strike on October 27.
K.K. Thomas and Saranya Manoj are due to begin the indefinite fast in front of the Secretariat.
- Planned start
- October 27, 2026
- Protest location
- In front of the Secretariat
- Federation president
- K.K. Thomas
- Federation vice-president
- Saranya Manoj
- Main policy cited
- Priyadarshini free-ride scheme