Published Feb 25, 2026 | 5:03 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2026 | 5:21 PM
Health Minister Veena George sustains injuries. (Supplied)
Synopsis: KSU Kannur district chief Muhammed Shammas told South First that the protesters did not attack the Health Minister Veena George and that the agitation was carried out in a democratic manner. He alleged that “the incident was being portrayed as an attack as part of a drama by the minister.”
Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday, 25 February, sustained injuries behind her ear and on neck during a protest by the KSU at Kannur railway station. She has been admitted to Kannur District Hospital.
The minister had reached the station to board the Vande Bharat train when protesters came close to her, leading to a tense situation and a scuffle.
Earlier in the day, the Youth Congress and Youth league staged black flag protests against the minister at several locations in Kannur. The protests were led by Iritty Youth Congress district president Vijil Mohanan.
Meanwhile, Speaker A. N Shamseer reached the spot. Minister’s PA also informed that all programmes scheduled for the day have been cancelled.
KSU Kannur district chief Muhammed Shammas told South First that the protesters did not attack the Health Minister Veena George and that the agitation was carried out in a democratic manner. He alleged that “the incident was being portrayed as an attack as part of a drama by the minister.”
“We have visual evidence to prove that no one attacked her. How can anyone attack a minister who is surrounded by heavy police protection?”
He further claimed that the Health Minister was trying to use the incident to suppress protests against several alleged cases of medical negligence.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an example of the Congress party’s “vile politics.” In a statement, the Chief Minister said the minister was attacked and injured while walking along the platform to board a train.
“What happened there was not a mere protest, but the act of a group of assailants,” he said, alleging that KSU activists were behind the incident.
Vijayan asserted that Kerala has the best health sector in India, a fact acknowledged by official agencies.
He said attempts to exaggerate isolated incidents and target a minister who was not involved in any wrongdoing amounted to “political malpractice” rather than genuine political protest.
“The Congress leadership should not assume that they can let loose their followers to disrupt law and order or create riots in the state,” the Chief Minister said, holding the Congress and the UDF leadership responsible for the incident.
He alleged that the attack reflected a pattern of making baseless allegations and vitiating the political atmosphere.
Calling the incident highly condemnable, Vijayan said it deserved strong public protest and reaffirmed that the government would ensure peace and uphold democratic values in the state.
Minister for Cultural Affairs and Fisheries Saji Cheriyan also strongly condemned the alleged attack, terming it “planned hooliganism” by KSU activists.
In a statement, Cheriyan said the incident was not a political protest but a premeditated attack carried out by a gang against a woman minister who was walking along the platform to board a train. “This is not politics, but pure vulgarity,” he said.
He alleged that attempts are being made to tarnish the achievements of Kerala’s health sector, which has been widely acknowledged as a global model. “Exaggerating non-existent issues to target the minister is part of a larger agenda,” he added.
Cheriyan also accused the Congress leadership of encouraging confrontational politics and warned that the government and the ruling party would firmly deal with any such acts of violence without compromise.
He urged democratic forces to unite against what he described as efforts to disrupt Kerala’s development and disturb public peace.
Further, senior leaders of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) came down heavily on the Opposition, describing the incident as a “shameful assault” carried out in the guise of protest.
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty issued a stern warning. “One thing should be remembered—if we react in a similar manner, you will not be able to tolerate it,” he said.
K.K. Shailaja MLA strongly condemned the attack, alleging that Youth Congress and KSU activists were behind the incident. She said the Opposition, unable to raise credible political allegations against the Left government as it completes ten years in office, had resorted to unleashing violence on the streets.
“The attack on the Health Minister in the name of protest is highly condemnable. With no political charges to level against the government, the Opposition is attempting to physically assault ministers. Democratic Kerala will reject this vile politics,” Shailaja said.
Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas too condemned the attack and wrote on X: “The cowardly attack on Health Minister Veena George by KSU is a new low for Congress. Isolated incidents are blown out of proportion to tarnish the health model of Kerala .. Congress owes an apology to Kerala!”
The cowardly attack on Health Minister Veena George by KSU is a new low for Congress. Isolated incidents are blown out of proportion to tarnish the health model of Kerala .. Congress owes an apology to Kerala!#KeralaPolitics #VeenaGeorge #Cpim #Congress #LDF #Keralam
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) February 25, 2026
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman, and Dileep V Kumar)
