Kannur, Feb 26 (NationPress) Within hours, hashtags questioning the credibility of the reported assault began to trend, as critics suggested that what was depicted as a violent attack on Kerala's Health Minister Veena George may have been a political stunt gone wrong.

As clearer footage from the scene spread online, the social media discussion quickly transitioned from outrage to skepticism, altering the public narrative surrounding the incident.

The alleged attack took place at Kannur railway station on Wednesday afternoon amidst protests led by KSU activists.

Initial reports and the FIR indicated that the minister had endured injuries to her neck during the altercation.

Five KSU members were arrested and subsequently remanded.

The severity of the accusations suggested a significant breach of law and order.

However, newly surfaced videos have complicated the narrative.

While the clips capture the typical jostling and chaos of a protest, they do not conclusively show the minister being physically attacked.

Instead, her security team appears to be forming a protective perimeter around her.

The lack of clear evidence depicting a direct assault has become the focal point of the opposition's response.

Congress leaders have leveraged these visuals to challenge the government's account of events.

They contend that the footage contradicts claims of a severe assault and have called for a transparent, timely investigation.

The opposition has also highlighted medical updates indicating that the minister's injuries were minor—a slight neck injury accompanied by temporary numbness in the right arm—as further justification for their claims of an exaggerated narrative.

However, the CPI(M) has maintained its stance.

State secretary M. V. Govindan on Thursday labeled the event a "premeditated assault" orchestrated by Congress and its affiliated organizations.

He accused powerful lobbies, including Western corporate interests that have taken over numerous private hospitals in Kerala, of targeting the state's public health sector, which he described as "world-class".

According to him, the Congress-led UDF, under the leadership of V.D. Satheesan, seeks to "discredit the public health system by attacking its minister".

Late Wednesday night, following a few hours in the intensive care unit at Kannur District Hospital, George was moved to Pariyaram Government Medical College for specialized evaluation, including an MRI scan.

Subsequent medical bulletins confirmed that no serious complications were found.

Yet, by that time, political ramifications—positive or negative, depending on one's viewpoint—had already begun to emerge online.

For government supporters, the incident highlights increasing hostility in protest politics.

For critics, the disparity between the dramatic claims and the available footage has contributed to a perception of overreach.