A protest march taken out by the Bharatiya Janata Party to the office of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan in Ettumanur turned violent on Saturday, leading to a clash between BJP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers.

According to reports, at least 10 people, including a police officer, were injured in the incident.

BJP workers took out the march to the office of the Minister demanding his resignation alleging gold misappropriation in the Sabarimala temple.

The march that commenced from Thavalakuzhy Junction around 11 a.m. was blocked by the police at Central Junction with barricades. As tension mounted and protesters attempted to pull down the barricades, the police used water cannon to disperse them.

The situation escalated when CPI(M) workers took out a protest march around 12.30 p.m., alleging that BJP supporters destroyed their flags and flagpoles during the earlier demonstration. This led to a violent confrontation around noon, creating panic among the public.

BJP leaders said CPI(M) workers unleashed violence on women and children, who were waiting for vehicles after attending the march, without provocation. “They attacked a woman and her daughter and tore off our party flags. When we tried to prevent the attack, our eight members sustained injuries and were admitted to various hospitals, including the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam,” said V.P. Mukesh, BJP Kottayam mandalam president.

BJP Kottayam West district president Lijin Lal alleged that the CPI(M) was frightened by the fact that more people participated in the march than the Ayyappa meet organised by the government.

CPI(M) Ettumanoor area secretary Babu George said violence erupted when a group of BJP activists attempted to disrupt their peaceful march against previous attacks on CPI(M) properties.