Keralam MPs mark Thiruvonam with satyagraha against Palakkad railway division split
United Democratic Front MPs and MLAs staged a protest in Palakkad against the proposed truncation of the Palakkad railway division. They argue that transferring the Mangaluru region to the Mysuru division would cause significant revenue losses and weaken regional connectivity.
Why it matters
The protest reflects regional political tensions regarding administrative control over railway infrastructure and economic resources.
More than a dozen United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs and several MLAs staged a satyagraha in front of the Palakkad Divisional Railway Manager’s office at Olavakode on Wednesday (August 26, 2026), demanding that the proposed truncation of the Palakkad railway division be dropped.
The protest was held on Thiruvonam as Keralites across the world celebrated Onam. The MPs chose the day of celebration for the protest, stressing their demand to retain the Mangaluru region with the Palakkad division rather than transfer it to the Mysuru division.
The satyagraha, coordinated by Palakkad MP V.K. Sreekandan, began at 9.30 a.m. and continued until evening. MPs E.T. Mohammed Basheer, M.K. Raghavan, Rajmohan Unnithan, Anto Antony, Benny Behanan, Shafi Parambil and Dean Kuriakose joined Mr. Sreekandan in the protest.
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