Thu Apr 17 14:50:34 UTC 2025: ## Palakkad Police Defuse BJP-Congress Standoff Over Skill Centre Naming
**Palakkad, Kerala, April 17, 2025** – Police in Palakkad partially eased tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Youth Congress following a confrontation over the naming of a new skill development center for the differently abled. The dispute centers on the BJP’s proposal to name the center after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder K.B. Hedgewar.
The conflict escalated into competing marches targeting each other’s district offices. Police intervened, lathicharging Youth Congress protestors and filing charges against several participants. The police also condemned threats made by the BJP against Youth Congress State president Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA.
While the BJP and CPI(M) engaged in talks with police, the Congress refused to participate, citing continued BJP threats against Mr. Mamkootathil. Congress leader K. Bhavadas criticized the police for facilitating talks with the BJP instead of addressing the threats directly. He stated that Congress would not negotiate with those advocating violence.
The police reported partial success, mediating an agreement to halt marches targeting opposing party offices. However, the CPI(M) indicated they would continue protesting the proposed naming of the skill development center. The situation remains tense, though police claim to have defused the immediate threat of direct confrontation by preventing targeted marches and personal attacks against leaders.
First Piper 