Congress Slams CPI-M for Imposing Fees on Marches in Kerala

The Congress party in Kerala has launched an attack on the ruling CPI-M for introducing fees ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 for organizing marches.

Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, criticized the Vijayan government, accusing it of fear of public protests, which led to such measures. He demanded the withdrawal of the order and voiced strong opposition to the imposition of fees on protests. Satheesan expressed astonishment that a Communist government would introduce such rules, given the party’s history of revolutionary protests.

According to the government order, only government educational institutions, public libraries, and scientific organizations will be exempt from paying fees. All political parties will now be required to pay fees of Rs 2,000 for protests within a police station’s jurisdiction, Rs 4,000 for protests in a sub-division, and Rs 10,000 for protests at the district headquarters.