Kerala Assembly row over dirty water in police cannon at AIYF-AISF march
Synopsis
What began as a protest against the PM SHRI scheme turned into a public health controversy inside the Kerala Assembly — with the opposition producing a bottle of allegedly contaminated water used in police cannons and raising the spectre of amoebic meningoencephalitis. A court-ordered lab test will now decide whether this was negligence or political theatre.
Key Takeaways
A political row erupted in the Kerala Assembly on 22 June over alleged use of contaminated water in police water cannons.
The water cannon was deployed against an AIYF-AISF march near Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium , Thiruvananthapuram , protesting the government's stand on the PM SHRI scheme .
Opposition alleged the water could cause amoebic meningoencephalitis ; protesters reported skin irritation and clothing discolouration.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala denied deliberate misuse, attributing discolouration to rust or deposits in an old tanker.
A water sample has been sent for laboratory examination; the Police Commissioner has been asked to investigate.
A sharp political confrontation broke out in the Kerala Assembly on Monday, 22 June after Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan — with Pinarayi Vijayan raising the issue — produced a bottle allegedly containing water used in a police water cannon deployed against an AIYF-AISF protest march in Thiruvananthapuram, accusing the state government of using contaminated water on demonstrators.
What Triggered the Protest March
The demonstration, organised by the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) and the All India Students Federation (AISF), was directed against the state government's position on the PM SHRI scheme. CPI leader and MLA K. Rajan, who inaugurated the march, was among the participants. Police deployed water cannons near Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium after protesters attempted to push past barricades.
Allegations of Contaminated Water
Several protesters reported developing skin irritation after being sprayed, prompting questions about the source of the water used in the cannons. Raising the matter on the Assembly floor, Vijayan alleged that the water was 'highly contaminated' and capable of causing serious health complications, including amoebic meningoencephalitis. 'This is not the normal method of using a water cannon. At a time when Kerala is discussing health concerns, this has to be taken seriously,' he said, demanding a formal response from Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
CPI leader K. Rajan alleged that the water was unacceptable and claimed that the colour of clothing worn by some women protesters visibly changed after the spraying — an assertion that added fuel to the controversy.
Government's Response
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala denied any deliberate use of polluted water, stating that water cannons are filled using supply from the Water Authority. He attributed the reported discolouration to possible deposits or rust in an ageing tanker. 'The water sample will be sent for laboratory examination. The Commissioner has been asked to look into the matter,' Chennithala said, adding that corrective action would follow if any lapse was established.
The Speaker indicated that the matter could be taken up further once laboratory test results were available.
Political Fallout and What Comes Next
The episode has shifted the political spotlight away from the original grievance — the government's stance on the PM SHRI scheme — to questions about police conduct and public health standards during crowd control operations. This is not the first time water cannon use has drawn scrutiny in India; the quality and composition of water used in such operations has been contested in multiple states in recent years.
With a lab test now ordered, the findings are expected to either validate the opposition's claims or close the controversy. Until then, the incident is likely to remain a flashpoint between the ruling dispensation and the Left-aligned student and youth organisations that organised the march.
Point of View
Which remain largely uncodified. If the test returns clean, the government will claim vindication; if it does not, the fallout will extend well beyond this assembly session.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Kerala Assembly erupt over water cannon use?
The Kerala Assembly saw a heated exchange on 22 June after the opposition alleged that police used contaminated water in cannons against AIYF-AISF protesters near Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Protesters reported skin irritation and clothing discolouration, raising public health concerns.
What health risk did the opposition claim the water posed?
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan alleged the water was highly contaminated and capable of causing amoebic meningoencephalitis, a serious brain infection. He demanded a detailed response from Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on the matter.
What was the government's explanation for the water discolouration?
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said there was no deliberate use of polluted water and that cannons are filled from Water Authority supply. He attributed any discolouration to rust or deposits in an ageing tanker, and ordered a laboratory test of the water sample.
What was the AIYF-AISF protest about?
The march was organised by the All India Youth Federation and All India Students Federation against the Kerala government's position on the PM SHRI scheme, a central government school development initiative. CPI MLA K. Rajan inaugurated the march.
What happens next in the water cannon controversy?
A water sample has been sent for laboratory examination and the Police Commissioner has been directed to investigate. The Speaker indicated the Assembly would revisit the matter once test results are available.
