Footage from Thiruvananthapuram revealed police employing water cannons to disperse protesters amid the ongoing controversy regarding the Congress-led UDF government’s new proposal to lower taxes on specific alcoholic beverages.
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram | Students Federation of India (SFI) stages a protest march to Keralam Secretariat demanding the withdrawal of the fee hike in Co-operative Academy of Professional Education (CAPE) and Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) colleges. SFI… pic.twitter.com/6768NlJmF3
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2026
DISPUTE OVER ALCOHOL POLICY
The protests against the Congress-led UDF government’s actions emerged amid controversy over its new budget policies. On Friday, Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced a reduction in sales tax on Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) with lower alcohol content during his Budget presentation. However, the opposition CPI(M) has accused the government of favoring a prominent liquor company.
As reported by news agency PTI, hundreds of activists participated in the march, chanting slogans against CM Satheesan. Protesters obstructed roads near the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, prompting the police to reinforce their presence.
In Kochi, clashes between DYFI protesters and police resulted in heightened tensions. The situation intensified as law enforcement attempted to manage the crowd. During the demonstration, activists argued that the government’s actions aimed to reduce taxes for the ‘liquor mafia’ while negatively impacting underprivileged students through fee increases.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS DECISION
The government, however, dismissed the accusations. Excise Minister M Liju stated that no decision had been made to introduce low-alcohol beverages in the state, adding that detailed discussions about liquor policy would take place after the Assembly session.
Criticizing the Opposition, he pointed out that it was the former LDF government that modified the ‘Abkari Act’ in 2023 to establish a separate category for low-alcohol beverages. Another amendment occurred in 2025, yet they are now attacking the same decision, Liju questioned the Opposition’s stance.
PINARAYI VIJAYAN RESPONDS
Former Kerala CM and Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan labeled the tax reduction as ‘mysterious’. He noted that higher taxes were previously utilized to curb liquor consumption and cautioned that this policy might escalate alcohol addiction among the youth.
Senior CPI(M) leader and former Excise Minister M B Rajesh has alleged that this measure is likely to benefit a specific company that had previously requested similar action from the prior LDF government, as reported by the Indian Express.
