Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday, 22 July firmly rejected allegations of being unavailable to the public, telling reporters at a post-Cabinet briefing in Thiruvananthapuram that 'my office does not deny permission to anyone who wishes to see me.' The remarks came amid recent criticism over his accessibility, including reported differences with the Kerala Students' Union (KSU).

On Accessibility and KSU Differences

Satheesan called the inaccessibility narrative 'totally false,' insisting that no visitor is turned away disappointed. He confirmed that he had already held discussions with the KSU to address their grievances. 'They expressed their views, and we conveyed ours,' he said, indicating the matter had been resolved through dialogue.

Siddharth Distress App to Combat Ragging

The Cabinet announced the launch of the 'Siddharth Distress App', named in memory of a ragging victim from Wayanad. The platform is designed to allow students to confidentially register complaints and seek immediate intervention in cases of ragging and other forms of harassment in educational institutions. The initiative marks a significant step in the state government's push to make campuses safer.

Coir Sector Revival Ahead of Onam

Addressing the struggles of Kerala's traditional industries, the Cabinet decided to launch a statewide campaign under the slogan 'One Coir Product in Every Home' ahead of the Onam season. The drive aims to stimulate demand for coir products and provide relief to thousands of workers dependent on the sector, which has faced sustained economic pressure in recent years.

Condemnation of Delhi Police Action Against Congress Leaders

Satheesan sharply criticised the Delhi Police for its handling of a Congress protest in the national capital on Tuesday, describing the police action as 'the ultimate police brutality.' He said leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Kerala Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunath were roughed up during the demonstration. The Kerala government, he said, strongly condemned the incident and stood firmly with the protesters.

Wakf Board Row: Government Defends Its Stand

On the Wakf Board controversy, Satheesan accused Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan of attempting to construct a communal narrative by misrepresenting facts. He said Kerala became the first state to reconstitute its Wakf Board following the 2025 Wakf Act, which mandates the inclusion of two non-Muslim members. While the previous Left government had reportedly informed the court that appointments would be made later, the current administration assured the Kerala High Court of full compliance with the law. Satheesan added that subsequent proceedings in the Supreme Court had vindicated the government's position, and accused the Opposition of deliberately ignoring these facts to fuel communal tensions.

With multiple Cabinet decisions spanning student welfare, traditional industry support, and political accountability, Wednesday's briefing underscored Satheesan's intent to project his government as both accessible and action-oriented ahead of a politically charged period.