UDF stages walkout in Kerala Assembly over police transfers

In Kerala, the United Democratic Front (UDF) walked out of the Assembly on March 19, 2025. The move came after Speaker A.N. Shamseer refused to allow a motion concerning the transfer of two police officers. This transfer was linked to a recent incident involving an alleged attack on police personnel by Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) workers during a temple festival. The Speaker stated that only matters of urgent public importance could be discussed under Rule 50. He claimed that such issues could only be taken up as a submission, not as an adjournment motion. V.D. Satheesan, the Opposition Leader, criticized the Speaker for not permitting a discussion. He argued that the government was avoiding questions on the matter. Congress legislator Sunny Joseph had requested the adjournment motion. He mentioned that the transfers damaged the morale of the police force. Satheesan later spoke to reporters, saying that they sought the motion because Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not respond to the issue during a recent discussion about the Home department. Satheesan claimed the government was defensive regarding the police officers' transfers and was providing political support to CPI(M) members. He accused the party's workers of attacking police officers and intervening to free a detainee. He called for the government to reverse the transfer orders and back the police officers instead.