Published Aug 26, 2026 | 1:20 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 26, 2026 | 1:20 PM
Police entered the mosque wearing boots and resorted to a lathi charge, sparking widespread criticism and protests.
Violent police action inside a mosque in Kerala’s Vadakara has sparked protests, with political parties, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), condemning the incident and demanding action against officers involved.
The incident happened at the Muhiyiddin Mosque at Kannukkara Matakkara on the night of August 24. A longstanding dispute between two groups over the Mahal Committee escalated into a clash, prompting intervention from the police.
Police allegedly entered the mosque wearing boots and resorted to a lathi charge, sparking widespread criticism and protests. The police also took two people into custody but later released them.
CPI(M) MLA and former minister P.A. Muhammed Riyas called the police action on the eve of the Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, an insult to Keralam’s secular tradition.
“A sight that Keralam has not seen for ten years,” Riyas said, arguing that disputes within a mosque should be settled through discussion and legal means.
He said a civilised secular society cannot accept police entering a place of worship and resorting to a lathi charge.
IUML state secretary and Kuttiady MLA Parakkal Abdullah condemned the police action and alleged that armed policemen led by the Chombala CI entered the mosque and assaulted believers who were discussing the Prophet’s Day programme. He noted that the differences within the Mahal Committee had existed for years and were generally settled through discussions.
IUML district president M.A. Razak Master and district general secretary T.T. Ismail also condemned the police action and demanded stringent measures against the officers involved.
Also Read: One Railway order, two reactions—and BJP caught in between over Palakkad division
The dispute at the mosque has reportedly been continuing for several years.
Abdurahman Faizi Ponmala is currently serving as the mosque Khatib (the person who leads Friday prayers), while a section has been demanding his removal. At a reconciliation meeting held at Panakkad, it was decided that the existing Khatib would lead the Friday prayers.
Tensions resurfaced on August 24, over preparations for the Maulid programme held in connection with the Milad-un-Nabi celebrations. A section questioned the Khatib’s preparations to conduct the Maulid recitation, leading to a verbal confrontation that later developed into a clash.
Considering the possibility of further confrontation, office-bearers of the Mahal Committee were summoned to the Chombala police station for a reconciliation meeting.
However, tensions escalated again at night, following which the Mahal Committee informed the police.
Police arrived at the site, entered the mosque and lathicharged people inside.
A sizeable police contingent was later deployed in the area, allegedly to prevent further violence.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
