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CAT 2025 provisional answer key released; check how to download and the final date for access
IIM Kozhikode has released the CAT 2025 provisional answer key and candidate response sheets for all three slots. Candidates can log in at the official portal until 10 December, 11:55 PM, to download the PDFs and verify their responses. Objections, if any, can be submitted online from 810 December. The final key and normalised scores will be announced later.
Puppetry festival in Kozhikode from December 5
IIM Kozhikode is releasing the CAT 2025 provisional answer key and candidate response sheets today, December 4, 2025, on iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can review their answers and estimate scores. An objection window opens December 8-10, 2025, allowing challenges to the provisional key. This crucial step helps aspirants prepare for the next stages of the CAT selection process.
IUML faces backlash over alleged use of religion in Kasaragod election campaign
KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a major constituent of the Congress-led UDF and a party that has long championed its secular credentials, is facing intense backlash in the lead-up to the local body elections. The controversy erupted after a video of IUML leader Ashraf Edneer surfaced on social media, prompting allegations that the party is soliciting votes on communal grounds. The LDF election committee for Kasaragod municipality has filed a formal complaint with the State Election Commission, alleging a clear violation of election norms. The video in question shows Ashraf introducing UDF candidate Shahina Saleem, who is contesting from ward 16 (Thuruthi). In the clip, he describes her as a devout Muslim who offers prayers five times a day and observes fasting during Ramadan. LDF leaders claim this type of campaigning is intended to leverage religious identity to influence voters. However, Ashraf has clarified that the viral video is a selectively edited portion of a much longer speech and does not reflect the context or the larger message he conveyed. In his complaint to the State Election Commission, T M A Kareem, secretary of the LDF committee in Kasaragod municipality, argued that presenting a candidate primarily through her religious identity amounts to misuse of religion for electoral gain. Kareem said that highlighting her prayer routine and observance of Ramadan creates a misleading contrast between her and the rival candidates, indirectly portraying them as less religious or even anti-religious. Ashraf, who addressed a womens meet on November 30 in Thuruthi, maintained that his full speech covered development issues, womens empowerment, and the socio-political needs of the municipality. Speaking to TNIE, he said his 30-minute speech was edited to present a communal interpretation that he never intended. He reiterated that the IUML does not indulge in communal politics and that his remarks, when heard in context, emphasise the importance of being a person of values, not an attempt to use religious practices as a tool for canvassing. Noted social critic and political analyst Hameed Chennamangaloor commented that the controversy once again highlights a longstanding debate regarding the Leagues ideological position. According to him, the IUML has consistently proclaimed itself a secular party and even persuaded national Congress leaders to support this narrative. However, he argued that the partys political conduct over the years does not align with true secularism. Chennamangaloor maintained that a political party can be considered secular only when it operates without invoking religion or religious identity, something he believes the League has never been able to do. He added that when candidates are projected through their religious practices, it reduces political merit to a question of piety rather than governance or development, making such victories questionable. CPM sympathiser advocate C Shukoor also expressed concern over IUMLs alleged use of religion in campaigning. He described the episode as a serious issue, both constitutionally and morally. Shukoor pointed out that the Constitution prohibits appeals to religion in election campaigns and that discussions should revolve around political ideology, development plans, inclusivity, and constitutional values. He argued that Kasaragod municipality remains one of the most underdeveloped in the state, and instead of presenting developmental achievements, political parties are increasingly relying on communal or counter-communal tactics. According to Shukoor, both the BJP and the IUML are following parallel strategies where one employs communal messaging and the other counter-communal narratives, ultimately weakening the broader democratic process. He also noted that even within the League, there is growing dissatisfaction among members who oppose this approach. League in row The row erupted after a video of IUML leader Ashraf Edneer surfaced on social media, prompting allegations that the party is soliciting votes on communal grounds Ashraf clarified that video is a selectively edited portion of a much longer speech and does not reflect the context or the larger message he conveyed
KOZHIKODE: Lending a new dimension to the Rahul Mamkootathil issue, Youth Congress leader M A Shahanas on Wednesday said she had informed Shafi Parambil about an embarrassing incident involving Rahul when the Vadakara MP was Youth Congress president. Shahanas told reporters that during the farmers agitation a few years ago, Rahul had messaged her when he came to know about her journey to Delhi to participate in the stir and said they could have travelled together. I gave my reply there itself, she said in Kozhikode. Shahanas, who is also the leader of the Congress cultural wing, said she messaged Shafi about the incident, but he never cared to respond. She said she was also adamant that Rahul should not have been made Youth Congress president, asserting that women would feel unsafe under his leadership. I told Shafi clearly that people like Rahul should not be made president. But my words had no value. Instead, I faced ridicule and contempt, she said. Many women members were against making Rahul YC state prez Shahanas said when the ongoing controversies erupted, she reminded Shafi of her message. The reply was a sad smiley, she said, adding that there are many women workers in Congress who have had similar experiences from Rahul. Shahanas said that J S Akhil was the candidate suggested by the late Ommen Chandy for the post. Besides me, many YC women members had objected to appointing Rahul the president. If Shafi denies this, I have proof , she said, adding that Shafi, who speaks eloquently about womens issues, should explain why he made a person like Rahul the YC president and MLA. Shahanas also alleged that when Shafi was president, women were not given the space to work freely in YC. Shafi had received numerous complaints about Rahuls behaviour even during his tenure, she alleged. In an extensive Facebook post, Shahanas described the atmosphere within the party as hostile towards women who speak up. She alleged that many leaders prioritised protecting their male colleagues over supporting women who faced harassment. The Congress organisation I believed in humiliated me instead of standing with me. Even today, I continue to walk into the DCC office where the man who once misbehaved with me is shielded by leaders, she said. She criticised a section of party workers for celebrating Rahul despite the allegations and for insulting the women who came forward with complaints. Remember, you are defending someone accused of criminal behaviour while humiliating women who are victims, she said.
Entrepreneurs seek a roadmap for promoting ecotourism spots in Kozhikode
They say projects that focus on sustainable livelihood schemes should be implemented, and that it should be taken up as a major campaign agenda during local body polls
Excise steps up crackdown on sale of illicit liquor in Kozhikode
100% of SIR enumeration forms distributed in Kozhikode, says election officer
NGT issues notice to CPCB over pollution by Fresh Cut's waste treatment unit in Kozhikode
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Central Pollution Control Board, Kerala State Pollution Control Board and others in a matter related to pollution caused by a waste treatment plant in Kozhikode. The green body had taken suo motu cognisance of a news report that claimed that Fresh Cut Organic Products Pvt Ltd in Ambayathode village in Kerala's Kozhikode district was causing air and water pollution. In a December 2 order, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava (retd) and expert members, A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, noted that according to the report, the foul odour from the unit had made life miserable for the locals. The main river that provides drinking water is also polluted by the effluents discharged from the unit. Skin diseases and allergies have become common in the area. Presently, the unit is closed down due to agitation. However, there is a need to ascertain that the unit meets all norms before starting and to clean up the area as the pollution persists, the bench said, noting the report. The tribunal said the report raised substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms. It impleaded the Central Pollution Control Board, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, the District Magistrate of Kozhikode and the Bengaluru regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) as respondents or parties. Issue notice to the respondents for filing their response/reply, the green panel said. The matter has been posted for further proceedings before the southern zonal bench in Chennai on January 29. On the run, yet in the race: UDF fields fugitive fresh cut protest chief
Samasthas crowdfunding crosses Rs 46 crore
KOZHIKODE: The Thahiyya fund collected by the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama for the various projects to be implemented as part of its centenary celebrations crossed Rs 46 crore when the collection officially ended on Monday night. The fund was collected through an app developed by a group of young men associated with the feeder organisations of Samastha. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Samastha president Syed Muhammad Jiffiri Muthukoya Thangal said Thahiyya received overwhelming response from all sections of society. Thangal thanked the rival faction Sunni leader Abdul Hakeem Azhari for his gesture of contributing to the Thahiyya fund. Thangal announced the fund collection drive on September 28 and the last date fixed earlier was extended to December 1. Strengthening the educational institutions at Walayar, Parangipettai, Tiruppur, and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu is among the projects visualised under the Thahiyya project. It also proposes to set up Samastha Centenary Educity, rehabilitation centres, offices for Samastha in major cities, international heritage museum, e-learning village, medical care centre, special schools, higher education scholarships and construction of students hostels.
Kerala govt hospitals lag in deceased organ donation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has been actively encouraging cadaveric organ donation to help save lives. However, when it comes to identifying brain-dead patients and persuading bereaved families to donate the organs of their loved ones, the states own hospitals are trailing private transplant centres by miles. In the past five years, where private hospitals identified around 20 deceased donors a year, government hospitals across Kerala could together manage just two. Lack of coordination in public institutions has slowed things further. In all, Kerala has 64 transplant centres, including major government facilities at Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode and the Ernakulam General Hospital. Since 2012, government hospitals have recorded just 58 donations out of 339 statewide. To improve coordination, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) appointed nodal and assistant nodal officers in southern, central and northern regions to screen potential donors in ICUs and facilitate cadaver donations. However, the situation has not improved. This year, public centres carried out 16 of the 62 transplant surgeries but converted only two cadaver donations out of 19. The higher number of organ donations in private hospitals creates the impression that brain deaths occur only there. However, patients die on ventilators in government medical colleges, too. If brain death is certified and communicated properly, more lives can be saved. We are yet to build such a system, said a senior officer with the DME. To address the gap, the health department has designated the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO) as the sole authority for both deceased and living donor programmes. By bringing all public transplant units under K-SOTTO, the government aims to improve efficiency, strengthen coordination and build public trust. Under the new unified command system, organ donation activities will be streamlined and made more transparent. All units are now under the administrative, functional and financial control of K-SOTTOs executive director. Transplant coordinators can also be assigned duties beyond their zonal jurisdiction during emergencies or special circumstances. Clash over poor performance Mohan Das M K, professor of Nephrology at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, publicly criticised the functioning of K-SOTTO and announced his resignation as nodal officer for the southern region, alleging failure in the cadaver donation programme. In response, Dr Noble Gracious S S, the K-SOTTO executive director, accused Das of neglecting his duty to promote organ donation, noting that only one cadaver donation was facilitated at the Thiruvananthapuram GMC in two years. He said disciplinary action had been initiated against Das for failing to perform his responsibilities and for portraying K-SOTTO in a negative light. Donors identified by hosps in 2025 Thiruvananthapuram MCH: 1 Kottayam MCH: 1 Private: 17
Kozhikode DCC seeks action against KPCC member over Karassery bank issue
Fake traffic e-challan scam hoodwinks unsuspecting vehicle owners in Kerala
KOZHIKODE: The message came at 7:45pm on a weekday. Kozhikode native Preetha Shivan, who had just returned home from work, glanced at her phone and froze. Your traffic violation fine hasnt been paid. Please settle it at once to avoid extra charges or legal action, dont wait for consequences! read the SMS. Worried she may have unknowingly violated a rule, Preetha clicked the link attached, and provided her account details. Within minutes, Rs 1,000 was debited, not by the Motor Vehicles Department, but a scammer operating from a private number she never thought to verify. I thought it was real because the page looked exactly like the governments challan site, Preetha recalls. The amount was not too high, so I paid it quickly. Only later did I realise I had been cheated. Her story is becoming frighteningly common in Kerala, which is witnessing an alarming rise in cyber fraud, from fake profiles of district collectors to calls from impostors posing as cyber police. Now, a new scam is gaining ground: fake traffic violation penalty alerts, sent via SMS or WhatsApp. The message appears routine, much like the official e-challan notification many vehicle owners are familiar with. However, hidden beneath is a meticulously-built trap. When recipients click the link, they are taken to a webpage mirroring the official e-challan portal. The colours, fonts, wording and layout bear a striking resemblance to the genuine Digital Traffic/Transport Enforcement Solution page. Users are prompted to enter their vehicle number and driving licence details. The website then generates a convincing overspeeding alert and directs them to pay online. In several cases, the payment is small, Rs 500 to Rs 2,000, making it easier for victims to fall for it. Social media influencer Nikhil S, who has a substantial following in Kerala, was one of the early victims who decided to speak up. I clicked the link as the entire page looked genuine. Even the fonts were the same as the real government site, he said. Only when I looked closely at the message later did I realise it was a private number not an official department sender ID. Nikhil immediately took to social media to warn others, and his posts were widely shared across Kerala. People think only the careless fall for the cyber scams. Thats not true. These pages are designed so cleverly that anyone can fall for them, he added. If my experience can save even one person from losing money, its worth sharing. His post prompted several others to share similar experiences. Cyber officers in Kerala say they have received numerous complaints, though the exact number of victims is unknown as many simply write off small losses. The officials say no government department sends link-based challan payment messages. All genuine traffic fines in Kerala must be checked either through the MoRTH portal or the official Kerala Police e-challan platform. Scammers are exploiting fear and urgency, a senior cyber cell officer explains. The moment people see the words penalty or legal action, they click without thinking. That is exactly what the criminals want, said an official.
Operation Cy-Hunt: Kozhikode police identify new suspects in online scams
KOZHIKODE: A new cyber trick is affecting the states district administrations, with fraudsters now impersonating district collectors on WhatsApp to fool subordinate officers into transferring money. What starts as a routine query about work updates quickly transforms into a cleverly crafted financial request, and multiple top officials have already found their identities misused. The latest cases emerged from Wayanad and Kasaragod, where district officials discovered WhatsApp accounts operating under the names of their respective collectors. The fraudulent profiles carried stolen display photos and used formal, authoritative language typical of official communication. Officers who received the messages said the conversations opened innocently, with questions such as Where are you now? or Any update on the work? before escalating into urgent instructions seeking money transfers. A recurring message used by the impersonators read: I need you to fund some executive prospects account on my behalf while Im busy attending an urgent meeting. I will reimburse you before the end of the day. The scammers often followed up with a request for a screenshot of the payment receipt, claiming it was needed for reimbursement and documentation. Kasargod District Collector Imbasekar K confirmed the impersonation attempt, cautioning all officers against responding to such messages. I never request fund transfers through WhatsApp. Any such message must be treated as fraudulent, he said, urging officials to verify all financial communication through official channels. Kasaragod district authorities issued a similar advisory and alerted all departments to remain vigilant. A formal cybercrime complaint has been registered, and police have begun tracing the origins of the fake accounts. In a separate but related incident, Wayanad District Collector Meghashree D R took to her official Facebook page to warn the public about a WhatsApp number impersonating her. The number, using her name and photograph, has reportedly been sending messages to various individuals over the past few days, requesting immediate financial assistance. Following preliminary probe, the Wayanad cyber police traced the WhatsApp number to Vietnam. Officials confirmed that the number was registered as a business account, and records indicate the user joined WhatsApp only in October, a detail raising suspicion that the profile may have been created specifically for the fraud. Police sources said a case would be registered shortly under relevant sections of cyber fraud and identity impersonation. Cyber security experts have noted that impersonation scams involving top government officials are currently on the rise. Fraudsters often exploit hierarchical structures and urgency-based communication to manipulate officers into acting quickly without double-checking. Police have urged government employees and the public to avoid responding to unsolicited WhatsApp messages requesting money, verify communication through official phone numbers or email, and report suspicious messages immediately to cybercrime authorities
Construction work on Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel road moving at a fast pace
KOZHIKODE: The construction of Keralas ambitious Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi four-lane tunnel road, envisioned as a long-awaited alternative to the heavily congested Thamarassery Ghat, is progressing rapidly in Kozhikode. Machinery for rock excavation, labour camps, first-aid centres, and office containers have already arrived at the project site at Marippuzha, where the initial phase of work has begun. Estimated at a cost of Rs 2,134 crore, the tunnel aims to provide a seamless travel experience through one of the states most challenging hilly terrains. Once completed, the route is expected to greatly ease the persistent traffic issues at the Thamarassery churam and offer a safe and smooth passage in all weather conditions, one of its most significant advantages. Bhopal-headquartered Dilip Buildcon Limited has been awarded the construction contract for the tunnel project, while the contract for the four-lane steel arch bridge across the Iruvazhinji river at Marippuzha has been given to Punia Construction Company. The public works department (PWD) is overseeing the project, with funding provided by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). According to PWD officials, the tunnel is expected to be fully completed within four years, provided the current pace of work continues. The project involves the construction of an 8.73-km-long four-lane tunne, on the Wayanad side, will link to Meppadi-Kalladi-Chooralmala road (SH-59), while in Kozhikode district, it will connect to the Marippuzha-Muthappanpuzha-Anakkampoyil route.
Top leaders add zest to campaigning in Kozhikode Corporation
CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala, and senior BJP leader V.K. Sajeevan join candidates as campaigning peaks
Clamour for comprehensive fire audit gets louder in Kozhikode
Everyone free to eat what they want but dont provoke others
Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri, the master chef of school arts festivals for the past two decades, is an unassuming individual who swears by the divinity of cooking, a task demanding utmost passion and deep dedication. In a freewheeling chat with TNIE, he opens up about his culinary journey spanning over three decades, why he believes in the individual freedom to choose what to eat, the controversies over beef and menu in school festivals, and the speciality of the much-talked about traditional Kerala sadya. Excerpts Youve made a name for yourself in Keralas culinary world. But its said your entry was accidental Yes. After acquiring my masters in physics, I struggled to get a job. I attended around 126 tests in five years, but with little luck. During those days in the 80s, Brahmins had two other options priesthood and cooking. I chose cooking because it gives instant results. Those days, you were an ardent admirer of M T Vasudevan Nair. Its heard that you passed through a phase of existential dilemma In my birthplace Kurichithanam there was a library in our neighbourhood. Reading became a habit since Class 5. Reading and travelling gifted me experiences. Thats how I developed a craze for MTs works. I also loved the poetry of Ayyappa Paniker and Balachandran Chullikkad. At the time, I had visited most states, as part of job-hunting. In between, I tried my luck in business and other small ventures. But they failed, and resulted in financial liabilities. I even thought of ending life. That was a period after Kerala society had undergone several changes. As a member of the Brahmin community, what was your life like then? The situation wasnt favourable for educated and qualified people. Reservation is a big problem. In that sense, I feel a uniform civil code is necessary. Imagine people standing in a queue under a hot sun. Some are invited and given lemon juice. The rest are excluded. Back then, such was the scenario. Opportunities were fewer. I wasnt very bright... my life evolved through reading and travel. Since you belong to a forward community, it was natural to have such an opinion. But do you still hold the same view? Certainly. Back then, I even had an inferiority complex for being a Brahmin. Now, in many places, there are attempts to make people Brahmins by giving them poonool (sacred thread) and teaching them mantras. It was the reverse then. I thought about the possibility of getting into the reservation category. It (reservation) is something which should not have been done in a place like India. From my travel to other countries, I understood there is no reservation there. People get employment based on merit. Skill should be the criterion, shouldnt it? Wasnt it necessary during that period, considering the social situation then? True, but how far have we changed from the social situation back then? Today, while beneficiaries of reservation occupy the highest levels of society, many from my community struggle for food, although they do not reveal it because of self-esteem or false pride. You mentioned the rigours of being a Namboothiri. Any perks of being a Namboothiri? My name is P D Mohanan. I changed it to Pazhayidom Namboothiri to establish myself as a cook. The tag found acceptance among people. Isnt there apathy from within your community towards those employed as cooks? In the 2000s, cooks were akin to aanakkar (those looking after elephants) and vedikkettukar (those engaged in fireworks). People engaged in cooking usually didnt present themselves well, didnt wash, ate pan, and dressed untidily. I could change this make them believe they have a place in society. Nowadays, cooks appear in whites (smiles). You once said business isnt meant for Namboothiris Successful ones are very rare. There could be two reasons. One, lying is quite difficult for them. Nobody can do business truthfully. One should know how to hide certain truths. Secondly, business is not meant for people who dont know how to handle money. They dont have much idea on aspects like utilisation of finances, investments, and returns. How did your situation change after those bitter life experiences? After my unsuccessful business venture, I got a job at a book stall in Ottapalam. While there, I happened to befriend a person, someone who handled funerals. He was a charming personality and a voracious reader, proficient in Malayalam, Sanskrit and English. I learnt lifes basics from him. I learnt that we cannot judge a person by his colour or job. He suggested that I try my hand at cooking and encouraged me to take up the profession. My career started with cooking for some 50 persons gathered at a local temple for namajapam. Had you tried cooking at home? No. Even today, I cant do it. My basic unit is a serving for 100 people. I can do any multiples of that. But anything below 100 would be an utter flop (laughs out). Isnt that easier than preparing food for 10,000 people? My interest grows with the number of people. Its a great pleasure to cook for a lakh (laughs). But it will be difficult if you ask me to cook for ten. I dont know how to prepare a dish with one or one-and-a-half spoons of ingredients. Women who cook at home are the best at that. The taste of homely food lies in their care and goodness. Its different from the commercial cooking I do. Did you have such love for cooking initially? It took five years to learn even the basics. I kind of established myself in 2001-02 when I prepared food for a Travancore royal family ceremony. It has been 25 years since you became the chef for school youth festivals. What changes have you noticed over the period? In the initial years, there was mass contribution... people and students would pool resources. Local residents would volunteer to assist. These were then not just events, but a place of togetherness. Also, back then, it was just a simple meal. Now, theres more diversity, including payasam on all days. In 2009, the current form of youth festival started... a common festival replaced separate events for HS, HSS, VHSS. Workload increased. Though the number of festival days was reduced, we increased the number of items by 20%. Do you follow the same menu, irrespective of the place, or make changes in line with regional differences? We usually follow the Travancore style, but also include a regional dish as a special item. Do you have the freedom to fix the menu? Earlier, we did, but stopped it with the 2023 controversy. Now, its an e-tender, wherein the menu is given. That said, we still retain the flexibility to make minor adjustments based on practical experience. Whats your focus, more dishes or more special items? We limit the menu to 12 dishes, but we experiment with payasams to add variety. There are so many possibilities... weve even created yam and pumpkin payasams. How have your travels influenced your approach to food preparation? Food exists to satisfy hunger and taste is born from hunger. If someone isnt hungry, eating loses its meaning. Ive seen people struggling to find food as well as prepare it. Such experiences made me view cooking as a form of worship. It taught me that serving food isnt just a taskit is a divine responsibility. Viewed as such, we approach it with true commitment. When we view the process of cooking and serving as divine, taste naturally follows. Its said that you start cooking with a prayer I always pray before cooking. No matter how busy we are, we never begin cooking without first taking a bath. Food is meant to be served to others, so we must treat it with respect and care. We also make it a point not to waste food. What exactly do you pray? My first prayer is that nothing untoward happens to any child because of the food. Second, my own actions should never harm the food. Third, my attention should not falter. Is there any truth in the saying that food tastes better when cooked on firewood? Vessels placed on firewood receive even heat, while on a gas stove, maximum heat is concentrated directly above the burner, increasing the risk of burning. Firewood allows slow cooking, which enhances flavour. The only caution is to ensure that smoke does not seep into the food. Each district differs in food preferences. What is Keralas food habit per se? Its difficult to define a single food habit for Kerala. We need to look at traditions that existed even before the formation of the state. Food practices vary widely across regions. For instance, in areas north of Kozhikode, non-vegetarian dishes are inseparable from daily meals. The food habits of northern, southern, and central Kerala cannot really be compared. What about authenticity of food? Everyone claims their food is the most authentic. In Thiruvananthapuram, people prefer dishes arranged in three layers on the banana leaf almost like a rainbow. For them, appearance matters more than taste. In northern Kerala, the spread is simpler, but they are very particular about flavour. Which sadya is better? Isnt the Thiruvananthapuram sadya considered superior? People may claim, but no one can insist thats the absolute truth (laughs). How about the serving style? In Thiruvananthapuram, people are very particular about the order of serving. For instance, if you serve pulissery before pradhaman, they may stop eating altogether. In other regions, this isnt the case. Is there a specific gastronomic order to follow in a sadya? Not really. A vegetarian sadya is built around six fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Whether the sadya has 10 dishes or 36, basic taste elements remain the same. The idea that digestion depends on following a strict sequence is not accurate, but certain practices do matter. You are vegetarian. How do you manage non-vegetarian dishes? We have a separate team and separate utensils for non-veg items. Whats your favourite food? I enjoy rice with curd and cut-mango-pickle. If rasam is added, Im even happier. Your take on the controversy over non-veg food during the school arts fest in 2023 The government provides an estimate about the number of people whod dine. The exact count is way different. Last year, the government said thered be 12,000 diners daily. But 20,000 people ate each day. Non-veg cannot be given to so many people. Food is prepared in a single kitchen and preparing meat is impossible. Even if meat is supplied, it will rot by the time its taken for preparation. Else, the government should install a freezer and a generator. In school games, food is prepared in five kitchens. Hence, non-veg dishes are served there. Politics over food is heating up Human digestive system is seven times longer than the height of a person. Digesting non-veg food is difficult, and could lead to health issues. Human body is more suited for a vegetarian diet, but now humans are used to being non-vegetarian. Brahmins too consume non-veg... Brahmins consuming non-vegetarian food is not unusual. Bengali Brahmins and some Maharashtrian Brahmins traditionally eat fish and do not claim to be strict vegetarians. Their food habits are shaped by regional culture. Kerala follows a different system, where certain Brahmin communities practise vegetarianism strictly. This has contributed to a perception that all Brahmins must be vegetarian, and in some cases, it has also created a sense of superiority among groups who identify strongly with vegetarian practices. Personally, I dont believe that some Brahmins have higher status. Ultimately, such divisions are meaningless. It is up to each individual to decide their way of life, including what they eat. The problem arises when one insists that you should eat what I eat. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, which one is good for health? Non-vegetarian food can boost stamina quickly. But its wrong to say that vegetarians have no strength. Vegetarian food boosts stamina slowly. Look at elephants; they are incredibly strong, yet they eat only plant-based food. Does the food we eat affect our character? Hitler was a vegetarian, yet he was an extremely cruel man. Food alone does not determine a persons character. Some people say eating spicy or salty food can make a person angry. There are people who get irritated easily after eating such food. The food we eat helps build body and health, but does not automatically shape our nature or behaviour. A non-vegetarian does not become short-tempered because of meat, neither does a vegetarian become peaceful by avoiding meat. Personality depends on the individual, not on whether they eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. On the changing food culture in Kerala, especially Arabic food Arabic food culture has adversely impacted the health of Keralites. Sudden changes in diet and the habit of eating food unsuited to our system have led to numerous health issues. Having such dishes occasionally is fine, but making it a regular habit just because they are popular is not right. Food should match climate and lifestyle. A major reason behind such trends is social media. Food bloggers and influencers constantly promote and encourage people to try dishes without considering health. How has the spread in traditional functions evolved? Over the years, the menu served during traditional functions has undergone a noticeable change. Earlier, the practice was to keep the previous days meal simple and light. Even non-vegetarian items, if served, were limited and uncomplicated. Today, the simplicity of the pre-wedding menu has largely disappeared. Heavy non-veg meals and elaborate spreads have become common even on the previous day. The sadya, once reserved for the wedding day, is now served frequently across various functions. The number of sadyas has increased, while exclusivity and ritual significance of the feast have decreased. Is non-vegetarianism increasing in Kerala? Non-vegetarianism itself has not necessarily increased, but there has been a noticeable shift in food habits. Many who were traditionally vegetarian now eat non-vegetarian food, while some non-vegetarians have moved towards vegetarian options. In short, there has been an interchange of preferences over the years. Why are vegetarian hotels shutting down? One major issue is that genuinely good vegetarian hotels, especially hygienic ones, are becoming rare in Kerala. This decline is not because people have stopped eating vegetarian food, but because many vegetarian establishments fail to maintain standards such as attractive interiors, clean and well-presented spaces, or even neat uniforms. Non-vegetarian hotels, on the other hand, generally maintain certain standards whether it is the quality of food, hygiene, or affordability. You once served sadya to PM Narendra Modi. How was the experience? I had the opportunity to serve a traditional Kerala sadya to Narendra Modi during the BJP national council meet. It was a completely vegetarian sadya. Cooking the sadya was quite challenging because of the security setup. But everything went smoothly. He ate the whole sadya; not a single item was left on the plantain leaf. He told me the food was excellent. I had prepared around 30 items including four varieties of payasam. I have prepared food for our chief minister too. Which is the most difficult food to cook veg, non-veg, or north Indian? Most difficult to prepare is vegetarian food, because each item has to be cooked separately in its own vessel, with its own method and time. In non-vegetarian cooking, if you make two gravies and one masala paste, you can finish many dishes. In north India too, most items have a gravy base, and once that is prepared, many dishes can be completed. In Kerala, beef is a political topic. People discuss whether eating beef is right or wrong. Whats your view? If you ask me whether it is wrong to eat beef, I will say no. People have the freedom to eat what they want. If someone tells us not to slaughter cattle, then what do we do with the animals that are already old and nearing death? I dont think eating beef is wrong. Politicians project the issue in a certain way thats the real problem. People should be free to choose what they eat, but they should not hurt others in the process. If you want to eat, eat... but dont try to provoke others. We talk about diversity, but real diversity is respecting individuals. Each person should be able to live according to their own beliefs. If someone sits next to you and eats non-veg, do you feel uncomfortable? Sometimes I might. In such cases, I try to sit elsewhere, where I feel comfortable. Kerala is known as a spice capital, yet our traditional meals are actually mild and subtle Traditional Kerala food is not very spicy. But now, the interest in spicy food has increased. It depends on what people have grown used to. You have been cooking for the past 27 years. How do you look at your life now? I have served food to 2.6 crore students. I have understood that this job has its own dignity and divinity. Ive no disappointments. I believe I was able to win peoples trust. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Aparna Nair, Parvana K B, Varsha SomarajVincent Pulickal (photos) Pranav V P(video)
KOZHIKODE: Koyilandy MLA Kanathil Jameela passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Kozhikode following illness. She was 59. The CPM leader had been convalescing at home for the last six months after undergoing treatment for cancer. Jameela had a unique political ascent, achieving the rare feat of serving and winning elections across all three tiers of the panchayat system before being elected to the assembly in 2021. Born in Kuttiadi, Jameela inherited her political fervour from her father, T K K Abdulla, a frontline communist leader during the Emergency era. Snehasparsham proved her commitment to public care After marriage, her move to Thalakulathur placed her in a family of dedicated CPM workers. Jameelas career officially took off in 1995, when she was elected to Thalakulathur panchayat and served as its president. Her influence solidified during her tenure as Kozhikode district panchayat chief, a position she held twice, in 2010 and 2020, when she won the Nanminda division by a margin of 8,094 votes. During her time in office, she launched the acclaimed Snehasparsham project for kidney patients, providing up to Rs 3,000 in financial aid and free medicines a scheme that became synonymous with her commitment to public care. In 2021, Jameela successfully transitioned to state politics, winning the Koyilandy assembly constituency. She defeated her Congress opponent N Subhramanian by a significant margin of 8,472 votes. She is survived by her husband, Abdurahman, and children, Ayreej Rahman and Anooja.
Congress had received complaints against Rahul, admits Chennithala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what may prove costly for the Congress in the run-up to the elections, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has admitted that the party acted against Rahul Mamkootathil after the then KPCC president and the Leader of Opposition received multiple complaints against the Palakkad MLA. This is the first time that a senior party leader has publicly said so. The open confirmation by Chennithala counters the party leaderships public claims that it had not received any harassment-related complaints against the young leader. The Leader of Opposition, the then KPCC president and party leaders received several complaints (against Rahul Mamkootathil). It was then that the party unanimously took such a decision, he said, while addressing reporters in Kozhikode on Saturday. He was responding to questions on whether the party had taken disciplinary action against Rahul based on strong conviction or in the light of the allegations. He further said it was an individual issue. Law will take its own course. What can we do, he asked. The leadership had earlier maintained that Rahuls removal as Youth Congress state president and his suspension from the primary membership of Congress were solely based on the allegations that emerged later. State Cong prezs claim contradicted Several Congress leaders had told TNIE months ago that around 18 complaints, both written and through email, had reached Indira Bhavan, the party state headquarters. However, back then, KPCC president Sunny Joseph had dismissed the same. Now, the Congress admitting that it had received complaints against Rahul, but chose not to reveal the same, could invite more legal-political backlash. With local body elections fast approaching, both the LDF and the BJP are likely to target the UDF for covering up such serious complaints against the MLA.
Mayors step aside as assembly beckons
KOCHI : A student who has passed Class 10 cannot be admitted back to Class 8. General Education Minister V Sivankuttys recent quip, made while explaining why Thiruvananthapuram mayor Arya Rajendran is not being fielded in the upcoming local-body polls, has quickly become a metaphor for moving the needle on ascending the political ladder in the state. His comment suggested that politicians who have completed a full term are ready for the next stage, widely interpreted as a nod to Aryas prospects in the 2026 assembly election. Sivankuttys own political journey underscores the point. Long before he entered the assembly and became a minister, he served as mayor of Thiruvananthapuram from 1995 to 2000, one of the earliest examples of a local-body chief rising to state-level leadership. The CPMs V K C Mammed Koya, who later represented Beypore in the assembly, also took the same route after serving as mayor of Kozhikode. This trajectory is now becoming the norm rather than the exception. Kozhikode mayor Beena Philip, Kochi mayor M Anilkumar, and Thrissur mayor M K Varghese are also staying out of the fray, prompting widespread speculation that they are setting the stage for bigger battles. Anilkumars name is already under consideration for the Tripunithura constituency. Analysts say that this is part of a larger shift in political grooming within Kerala. With decades of decentralisation empowering municipalities and corporations, local bodies have become the states most effective leadership training ground. Earlier, student politics was the route to the assembly. Today, the panchayati raj system shapes political grooming, said senior journalist Jacob George. Past examples are clear. Former Thiruvananthapuram mayor V K Prashanth eased his way into the assembly. In Thrissur, former mayor R Bindu became a minister. In the Congress, Ernakulam MLA T J Vinod who spent 25 years as a councillor and later became deputy mayor says his years in local governance remain foundational. Local bodies are where the real training happens, he said. Experts welcome the trend. This is common worldwide, noted Dr D Dhanuraj of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a Kochi-based think-tank. Even in India, several leaders during the freedom struggle had served as mayors or deputy mayors. Local-level politicians should be promoted. They know the issues on the ground and can represent their constituencies more effectively, he said, adding that such a trend also helps strengthen a partys organisational base. Former legislator Sebastian Paul said mayors, who often oversee areas spanning multiple assembly constituencies, naturally gain a wide administrative perspective. With reservations limiting repeated mayoral terms, it is logical for them to move to the assembly, he said. As Kerala heads into the local-body elections, several mayors not on the ballot signals more than a reshuffle. It captures a clear political shift: Local bodies have become Keralas launch pads to the assembly and many of todays mayors may soon be graduating to their next class in state politics. Meanwhile, parties are also using this local-body election to promote a new generation. Across panchayats, municipalities, and corporations, CPM, Congress, and BJP have all fielded young candidates who are being groomed as future leaders. Party insiders say this is a deliberate move as senior mayors and councillors prepare to move up to the assembly, fresh faces are being placed at the grassroots to build the next rung of leadership.
Transgender reservation comes into effect in law colleges in Kerala
Esai Clara, the transwoman who moved the High Court demanding reservation for transgender persons for LLB course, plans to join Government Law College, Kozhikode
Drive launched to collect filled-in SIR forms through village offices in Kozhikode
Over 70% of filled-in enumeration forms have been digitised with the support of booth-level officers, says District Collector
Govt. medical college doctors in Kozhikode boycott OP duty
The KGMCTA says it will continue its protest and stay away from all medical board meetings from December 1
Quick evacuation, rapid response help contain fire at hospital in Kozhikode
The fire broke out on the ninth floor of the private hospital around 9.30 a.m. during welding work in the AC plant
After a six-year pause, TEDxThiruvananthapuram is preparing for a comeback on December 20, at Technopark Phase III. The 2025 edition carries the theme Local Mission, Global Vision, and marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for the city-branded TEDx event. TEDxThiruvananthapuram began in 2016 and ran three editions under licence-holder Vishnu Prasad. When he migrated to a different country, the event slowly slipped into silence. Earlier this year, the responsibility fell to Arun Surendran, strategic director and principal of Trinity College of Engineering. A city-based label carries its own kind of weight. There are TEDx events by IIST, CET, and the College of Agriculture Vellayani. But their possibilities stay within the campus. A city licence gives a wider canvas, he says. When the license was granted, we felt a responsibility. We are organising this in the name of the city, so it has to be the best possible version of the event. Since this is a revival edition, the team decided to begin small. They are keeping it to a half-day event with a carefully curated format. There are only 100 seats this year, and 70 of them are open to the public. This years event brings together eight speakers from very different fields. Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath, who led the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing mission, will speak about his journey. Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS, known for projects such as Nammude Kozhikode, KFON, and Ente Bhoomi, will share insights from his administrative work. Nizamudeen A IAS, Director of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, brings the governance perspective. Rima Kallingal Dance practitioneracademic Methil Devika, actor and screenwriter Santhy Balachandran, academic and researcher Litty Chacko (known for her work on medieval mathematician Sangamagrama Madhavan and the Kerala School of Mathematics), theatre and television actor Sajana Chandran S (who retired as joint general manager at AAI), and race director of Kovalam Marathon Shinomol Palathanath, complete the speaker line-up. Talks will run from 2pm to 6pm, each session restricted to 1518 minutes. Also, TED has allowed the organisers to have Malayalam talks this year as long as subtitles are provided. All these talks will go up on the official TEDx channel, which has over 45 million subscribers, Arun says. Next year, the team plans to scale up. It will be a full-day event with more speakers and more themes. This year, the priority was to bring TEDxThiruvananthapuram back, revive it with the highest possible quality. Once that foundation is strong, we can grow it, keep improving it, and steadily increase the Malayalam content, he adds. The ticket price has been set at `2,500. To register, visit: tedxthiruvananthapuram.com .
Major fire erupts at Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode; patients evacuated safely
KOZHIKODE: A fire broke out at the new C-Block of Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH) in Kozhikode on Saturday morning, causing widespread panic but averting a major disaster through swift evacuation and intervention by fire and rescue teams. The fire started at approximately 9:45 am in the Air Conditioner (AC) systems located on the ninth floor of the hospitals new C-Block. Hospital authorities confirmed that construction or maintenance work was ongoing in the section affected which did not house any patients. Despite the fire being confined to the non-patient area, large plumes of smoke immediately billowed from the building, spreading to nearby floors and corridors and triggering alarms across the hospital, which is located at the heart of the city near the Kozhikode moffusil bus stand. Hospital authorities acted rapidly, safely evacuating all patients, accompanying individuals, and staff from the surrounding floors, including those on the eighth floor and those who had recently undergone surgery. We were able to shift patients without difficulty, a hospital official stated, confirming all individuals were safe. The fire broke out suddenly. We noticed the smoke and informed the hospital authorities, said Abdul Hameed, a witness from Ulliyeri who was at the hospital to accompany his elderly mother. The Fire and Rescue Services responded immediately, deploying five units to the scene. After rigorous effort, the fire was successfully brought under control by 10.30 am, preventing it from spreading beyond the 9th floor to other crucial areas of the hospital. While the fire was largely subdued, the teams continued operations to clear the dense smoke accumulation. Hospital management confirmed that the quick response prevented any casualties, though the incident has temporarily disrupted hospital operations. Preliminary findings suggest a short circuit may have caused the fire. A full investigation into the exact cause and the extent of the damage has been launched.
Fire breaks out at Baby Memorial hospital in Keralas Kozhikode
Blaze brought under control by Fire and Rescue Services squads within an hour after safe evacuation of patients. Fire caused by suspected short circuit in AC system. No injuries reported
With the LDF deciding to cash in on the Corporations achievements, the UDF looks to play up the civic bodys involvement in the 2022 building number scam. The BJP pitches itself as a practical alternative in divisions where it believes voter fatigue exists against both the fronts
In shifting sands of politics, faith is moving mountains
KOCHI: ... The futures in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change... The Scorpions ballad on profound changes taking place in Europe in the early 1990s can hold a mirror to the evolving political picture in central Kerala. Winding ones way though Meenachil River-kissed Pala, Poonjar, and Bharananganam, the highlands of Idukki, and the gently rolling regions of Thrissur and Ernakulam, the shift is very evident -- and splashed across compound walls. Posters of candidates from traditional, influential Christian families now bear the lotus symbol. What was once considered odious has become a defining feature of this local body elections. In a development that is without precedent, the BJP has allotted nearly 1,900 seats to Christian candidates. And the shift isnt just numerical its psychological. The untouchability factor that kept the community away from the saffron party for decades is wearing thin, according to political observers. BJP state vice president Shone George is keen to highlight the momentum. In Christian belts such as Poonjar and Pala, around 60% of our candidates are Christians, he said. The feedback from house visits is remarkable. Families are warm, receptive many are big Narendra Modi fans now. While asserting that radical Islam has pushed Christians closer to the BJP, Shone concedes the party struggled to keep up with demand. We couldnt find enough Christian candidates everywhere. But KCYM members, Catholic Congress workers they are coming forward. This is just the beginning. This election marks a psychological break, according to political observer Milton Francis. The untouchability is gone. The acceptability of BJP candidates has grown sharply not just among affluent Christian families but even among Church leaders, he said. In the high ranges, Thrissur, Iritty, Nadapuram, Peravoor, and Taliparamba Christian votes are decisive. The BJP is fielding Christian candidates even in Kozhikode, reflecting how much the ground has shifted, he pointed out, adding that many families view Rajeev Chandrasekhar as an acceptable, professional, credible face of the party. The Catholic Congress, the official lay organisation of the Syro-Malabar Church, echoes the communitys evolving political posture. Its president, Rajeev Kochuparambil, says the organisation welcomes the new assertiveness of Christian voters. This time, there has been a sharp increase in the number of seats the BJP has allotted to Christian candidates, he said. Our stand is simple the communitys issues must be taken up by elected representatives. We are not opposed to any political party or front. But once elected, representatives must be willing to listen to our concerns. However, Apu John Joseph, Kerala Congress state chief coordinator and son of party supremo P J Joseph, argues that the BJPs sudden embrace of Christians is shallow. The arrest of two Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh earlier this year, on allegations of forced conversion, exposed this, he said. The incident was a realisation that the BJPs newfound affection has no real grounds, Apu added. It reminded Christian leaders that the BJP is no friend of Christians. Those who were drifting towards them are now having second thoughts. Apu counters the BJPs narrative of Christian under-representation within the UDF. Four of our MPs Dean Kuriakose, Anto Antony, Hibi Eden, and Francis George are Catholic. Benny Behanan is Jacobite. Nearly 28% of UDF MPs are Christian, far above the communitys share of population, he said. Kerala Congress (Joseph) is contesting in 615 local-body seats this time, up from around 500 in 2020. Within the LDF, the Kerala Congress (M), which contested around 850 seats in 2020, is now fighting 930-plus seats. A political analyst says this more liberal seat allocation to Kerala Congress parties by both UDF and LDF can be attributed to the rising influence of the BJP within the Christian community. Both KC (M) and Kerala Congress have increased their footprint to thwart the BJPs moves to capture the Christian vote, he said. These parties sense that the BJP has made its way into spaces that were once exclusively theirs. A senior KC (M) leader, requesting anonymity, concurred. People are fed up with the Congress infighting. The untouchability factor is slipping away even traditional UDF voters are coming to us and the BJP, he said. Meanwhile, even smaller flash points such as the Munambam land dispute and the Palluruthy school hijab row sharpened the communitys anxieties on identity and institutional autonomy, issues the BJP has used to deepen its outreach. But, for the saffron party, this election is an opening. Local-body polls will set the trend, Shone insisted. We will go full steam by next years assembly election.
Kozhikode district school arts fest: city sub-district emerges overall champion
With CAT 2025 just two days away, candidates are shifting focus to exam day procedures. The Common Admission Test, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, requires specific documents like a printed admit card and valid photo ID. Candidates must arrive at least 60 minutes before their slot, with strict prohibitions on carrying certain items to the examination centre.
CAT 2025 Paper Structure And Final Preparation Strategy By Exam Convenor IIM Kozhikode
CAT 2025 maintains the same format as previous years with restricted sectional movement and extra time for PwD candidates to assess critical thinking and problem-solving.
Action against bus after drunken crew incident
KOZHIKODE: The fitness certificate of a private bus operating on the Kozhikode-Bengaluru route has been cancelled following the circulation of a viral video of drunk bus crew on duty. The bus, belonging to private bus operating firm Bharathi Travels, was brought to the Chevayur test ground on Thursday, after the video sparked widespread protest. The video showed both the driver and cleaner of the bus in a drunken state while on duty, raising concerns about passenger safety on long-route private buses. According to the passengers of the bus, timely intervention of a few alert fellow travellers prevented what could have been a major tragedy. The bus was made to undergo a detailed mechanical and safety check, after which the authorities decided to cancel the fitness certificate since safety precautions were not followed. Officials stated that strict action will be taken against the crew and those responsible for compromising the safety of the passengers.
Kerala youth, 23, electrocuted in Puzhal while drying clothes as line hits low-hanging cable
CHENNAI: A 23-year-old man was electrocuted when he accidentally came in contact with a low-hanging electricity cable while drying clothes on the terrace of his house at Puzhal on Monday. The police suspect the clothesline must have accidentally brushed against the power line over the terrace. The deceased has been identified as Atul Krishnan, a native of Kozhikode in Kerala, working at a private company near Puzhal for the past few months. He was staying in the rented house along with seven other men, the police said. Atul was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Upon information, the Puzhal police registered a case and sent the body for postmortem at Government Stanley Hospital. We have not registered a case of death due to negligence as of now. We will submit a report to the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL), and based on their departmental inquiry further action will be decided, a police source said.
UDF-Welfare split sets stage for high-voltage fight in Mukkam
KOZHIKODE: Five years ago, Mukkam municipality stood balanced, 15 seats on one side, 15 on the other, and a single rebel tipping the scales of power. This time, the picture is far more chaotic. The UDF-Welfare Party alliance has snapped, the LDF is on a stronger footing, and rebels old and new are back in the spotlight. With 34 divisions and no clear favourite, Mukkam is heading into an election where every ward has its own drama and each vote can rewrite the councils future. For years, the UDF-Welfare pact played a decisive role in Mukkam politics. In 2020, both LDF and UDF secured 15 seats each, the BJP won two, and a League rebel clinched one seat. UDF secured 15 seats only because of Welfare Partys support, which contested four seats and won three. This time, it demanded five divisions, while the Congress-led UDF was willing to concede only two. With negotiations failing, Welfare Party moved ahead with its own candidates, weakening UDFs prospects, especially in areas like Chennamangallur, where the former enjoys overwhelming influence. The LDF, which managed to form the council in 2020 with the support of League rebel Muhammed Abdul Majeed, is performing strongly on the ground this time. Front leaders expect to win more than 10 seats, which could shift the political balance and potentially deny UDF power. With UDF and Welfare Party contesting separately, the biggest question now is: whom will the latter support after the results? This single factor could determine who forms the next council. Preparations have begun in full swing by the Welfare Party in different parts of Mukkam region. Party workers have launched various activities including candidate photoshoots and flag installations. UDF has also initiated its campaign, announcing K V Jabbar as an independent supported by it in Division 19. UDF leaders in Chennamangallur have criticised the Welfare Party, claiming that the area saw only small municipal-funded developments in the last term. They argue that Welfare Party councillors lacked the political reach to secure substantial state or central development funds, unlike traditional mainstream parties. League leader K P Ahammedkutty from Chennamangallur says future negotiations with UDF will be impossible for the Welfare Party if it is not ready to understand the political situation in Mukkam. Senior political leaders from the region agree that failing to reach an understanding with Welfare Party could prove a major setback for UDF in a municipality known for tight races. The wild card in this election is once again Muhammed Abdul Majeed, the League rebel who supported the LDF in 2020. He won the Irattakulangara ward in 2020 by defeating UDFs Shereef Vennakkode by 16 votes (328 vs. 312). Last year, Majeed withdrew his support from LDF and joined UDF in tabling a no-confidence motion, which failed due to lack of quorum. This time again, he is contesting as an independent. He maintains that development work worth `2.5 crore completed in his ward will earn him support. Interestingly, Shereef Vennakkode has again been named the UDF candidate in the ward, setting the stage for a rematch. Adding further complications for UDFs regional prospects, in ward 7 (Punnakkal) of the neighbouring Thiruvambady panchayat, Youth Congress mandalam secretary Jithin Pallat has decided to contest as a rebel against Tomy Konnakkal, the official UDF nominee. This internal conflict may ripple into the Mukkam political atmosphere as well. With the extra division added and shifting alliances, no front is expected to secure a clear majority on its own.
Drunk driving: probe under way against interstate bus driver
Alleged incident took place during a trip between Kozhikode and Bengaluru on November 24
Welfare Party alliance heating up poll campaign
KOZHIKODE: The Welfare Party of India, the political front of the Jamaat-e-Islami, is not a force to reckon with in Kerala politics. Yet, the party has become the focal point of discussion in the local body election campaign. The CPM is marshalling all its resources to put the UDF on the defensive for aligning with the propagators of Islamic State ideology. On its part, the UDF has been reluctant to openly admit the alliance and claims that the front has only local-level understanding with the Welfare Party. The Jamaat had supported the LDF for a long time, a fact that the CPM is conveniently trying to hush up. Jamaat began moving towards the UDF mainly after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Since then, the Welfare Party has been functioning almost as a constituent of the UDF though not officially declared so. The Jamaat, which has strongly criticised the IUML in the past, also developed a cozy relationship with the party. The formation of the Muslim Coordination Committee during agitations against the CAA brought them closer. Members of the Panakkad family, who kept a distance from the Jamaat in the past, started attending the programmes of the organisation. IUML leaders K M Shaji and M K Muneer, who had vehemently opposed the Jamaat ideology, became silent. The rise of the BJP at the national level also served to cement the relationship between the two organisations. By no means was it a smooth transition. There was strong opposition from Muslim organisations which considered the Jamaat a dangerous presence for the community. The Sunnis and the Mujahids raised their concerns over the IUML coming closer to the Jamaat. Their opposition was more religious than political. This time too, voices have emerged from the community against the Jamaat. Some leaders of the EK faction of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama cautioned the UDF against joining hands with the Jamaat. The Kanthapuram faction also came up with objections. Some Mujahid groups met the Congress leaders as well, to express their concern over giving a clean chit to the Jamaat. But the situation this time is a bit different. While the opposition against the Jamaat was united in the past, now some sections among Muslim organisations suspect that the CPM is drawing political mileage from the anti-Jamaat position. This feeling is reflected in the words of EK faction Sunni leader Nasar Faizi Koodathayi who wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that many of those who are currently criticising the Jamaat are actually serving the CPM interest. This is seen as an indirect reply to Abdul Hameed Faizi, Umar Faizi Mukkam and Musthafa Mundupara belonging to the same Sunni group who opposed the Jamaat alliance. The split in the anti-Jamaat camp also gave the IUML the confidence to go ahead with the alliance. The UDF camp is busy digging up materials from the past to prove that the CPM and Jamaat were bosom friends. They circulate the photograph of the LDF MLA K T Jaleel visiting the Jamaat headquarters after he defeated P K Kunhalikutty in Kuttippuram in 2006. The pro-Jamaat groups on social media are unearthing photographs where CPM leaders are seen with Jamaat leaders. Meanwhile, the CPM is hoping that the Jamaat-UDF alliance will antagonise Hindu and Christian sections, which will be beneficial for the party in southern Kerala. And not everyone in the Congress is happy with the tie-up and those sections may wait for the local body poll results to react.
Sobering reality! Viral video exposes drunk bus crew on inter-state routes
KOZHIKODE: A late-night journey on a private bus from Kozhikode to Bengaluru has ignited a major public safety concern after a video showing a drunk bus driver and cleaner went viral. What began with an alert raised by a vigilant passenger has now opened the floodgates, with travellers across states sharing alarming accounts of similar experiences, revealing a deeply troubling pattern in long-distance private bus travel. The incident occurred on November 24, when passengers on a bus operated by Bharati Travels noticed erratic driving soon after departure. It was Ahamed Sanobar, a Kozhikode native, who first realised something was terribly wrong. The cleaner was completely drunk and had no consciousness. The driver too was heavily drunk, Sanobar said, recalling the moment he confronted the crew. Despite passengers pleading with him to stop, the driver allegedly continued speeding, putting the lives of more than 35 passengers at grave risk. He was driving fast and risking the lives of everyone. We had to fight with the driver to make him stop, he added. The bus was halted only after passengers intervened forcefully. Sanobar later filed a complaint with the police. The vehicle resumed its journey to Bengaluru only after a replacement driver arrived from the city. Once footage of the confrontation was posted online, it quickly drew thousands of views and comments. Social media platforms were soon flooded with similar stories from travellers who had experienced unsafe behaviour by private bus crews, especially on interstate routes. Many reported instances of drivers operating under the influence of alcohol, sleep-deprived drivers on overnight journeys, unsafe speeds on highways, aggressive or unresponsive crew members and poorly maintained buses despite high fares. One user wrote, We were terrified to complain. The driver kept dozing off, and the cleaner was drunk. We just prayed through the night. The timing of this incident has intensified public anger. With trains to Bengaluru fully booked during the rush season, passengers are forced to turn to private buses, many charging inflated fares with no guarantee of safety. The lack of regulation and accountability has turned essential interstate travel into a life-threatening risk, passengers say. Majority of accidents happen this way. Strict action and frequent inspections from motor vehicle departments across states are urgently needed to prevent such reckless behaviour, Sanobar urged in his complaint. Experts and commuter groups are now calling for mandatory breathalyser tests for long-route drivers, night-time inspection squads along major interstate routes, stricter enforcement of crew duty hours, fines and cancellation of licences for operators who violate safety norms. Police have confirmed receiving the complaint and have begun an initial investigation.
Two held for alleged sale of banned tobacco products in Kozhikode
Housing schemes emerge as a key concern in door-to-door campaigns in Kozhikode
Most grievances centred on unfinished or delayed housing projects, as rural voters conveyed their frustration to visiting candidates
Kerala local body polls 2025: Rival fronts fear public anger as pollution hogs the limelight
Public anger over industrial emissions and untreated wastewater is mounting pressure on political parties. While reverberations of agitations against a poultry waste treatment plant in Kozhikode is likely to shape voter sentiment, Ashtamudi Lakes pollution is becoming a key poll issue in Kollam.
UDF-Jamaat tie-up: Now, Kanthapuram Sunnis raise concern
KOZHIKODE: Yet another Muslim organisation has come forward to oppose the UDFs adjustments with the Welfare Party of India, the political front of the Jamaat-e-Islami, in the ensuing elections to the local bodies in Kerala. In an article published in Siraj daily, Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS), the youth wing of the Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis, Rahmatullah Saqafi questioned the UDFs claim that the Jamaat has discarded its ideology of the Islamic state. Saqafi said that till now the Jamaat leadership has not openly said that they no longer subscribe to the ideology. He said Jamaat publishing house has republished the book authored by its founder Abul Ala Maududi that asserted the theocratic and anti-democratic stand. Can the leadership of the front that accommodated the Jamaat produce any proof to show that the organisation has withdrawn the book, Saqafi asked. He said the Sunnis will be happy if the Jamaat decides to backtrack from their position because they (Sunnis) have been campaigning against the stance from the beginning itself. But the Jamaat is selling the books of Maududi and has even conducted a campaign on his ideology last month. This proves that the Jamaat can never discard Maududi, Saqafi said. The Sunni leader questioned the Jamaat argument that the aim of Muslims should be to establish divine rule. Muslims have ruled India for about 650 years and none of them declared the country as an Islamic land, he said, adding that Muslims in Kerala have cooperated with the non-Muslim rulers and even fought for the land. No Muslim scholar in Kerala including Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdum called for the establishment of Islamic rule, he said. The unholy understanding for temporary electoral gains will cause irreparable damage to the nation. It will also make certain political parties irrelevant, Saqafi said. Selling Maudadi books In an article published in Siraj daily, Sunni Yuvajana Sangam, youth wing of Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis, Rahmatullah Saqafi questioned the UDFs claim that the Jamaat has discarded its ideology of the Islamic state He also pointed out that the Jamaat was selling the books of Maududi and had even conducted a campaign on his ideology last month.
Its raining young leaders in Kerala's local body elections
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The youth and student organisations of the CPM outnumber other political groups in the number of leaders contesing in this local body elections. With the withdrawal of nominations concluding, the DYFI and SFI together have 1,473 members contesting on CPM ticket. Around 1,141 candidates are from Congress youth and student organisations, the Youth Congress and KSU. CPIs AISF and IUMLs Muslim Students Federation (MSF) have 14 and 47 leaders, respectively, in the fray. DYFI has the most candidates at 1,413. They include two central committee members and 22 state committee members. There are eight women on the list. Across all levels, 996 DYFI candidates are in the fray in grama panchayats, followed by 165 in block panchayats, 38 in district panchayats, 184 in municipalities and 30 in corporations. Youth representation is crucial in local governance, and it is the Left, particularly the CPM, that consistently ensures meaningful opportunities for young people, said DYFI state secretary V K Sanoj. Though the final tally of candidates from YC is not ready, an estimated 1,060 candidates are contesting on the Congress symbol. They include 40 state office-bearers and several national secretaries. Nine women have been fielded. We have fielded candidates from the current and previous state committees, including those from the earlier body led by Shafi Parambil, said YC state president O J Janeesh. Although we believe more leaders should have been accommodated, the political context required the party to weigh several considerations. The KSU has been allotted 81 seats, including one for a transgender candidate, the lone contestant from the community. There are 22 state committee members and 59 assembly-level office-bearers in the list. As many as 60 candidates are from the SFI. Maintaining that voters never raised concern about their political inexperience during campaigning, SFI state committee member P Thajuddeen, the LDF candidate from Kozhikode district panchayats Nadapuram division, said his political journey with the organisation had given him ample experience to work for peoples welfare. KSU Thiruvananthapuram district vice-president Vyshna Suresh, the UDFs candidate for Thiruvananthapuram corporations Muttada ward, opined that student leaders contesting in the elections can perform better, thanks to their background in campus politics. Hoping that the new gen politicians will bring in refreshing and advanced views in politics for the public, Vyshna said this generation shift will help mould better leaders for tomorrow. CPIs candidate in the Konni division of Pathanamthitta district panchayat and AISF state president Bibin Abraham felt the increased participation of youngsters could be because of the partys evaluation that the young leaders are critically needed in certain areas. Ayisha Banu P H, the first woman state vice-president of MSF who is contesting from the Pookkottur division of Malappuram district panchayat, said the new trend can help reduce the apolitical stand seen among youngsters. None from ABV P The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has not fielded any candidates, in line with RSS policy of not sending its organisational workers in electoral contests. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has seven state office-bearers, five state committee members and eight district presidents in the race. Two women BJYM leaders are contesting as BJP candidates MYL fields 3 women leaders The Muslim Youth League (MYL) has nominated three women leaders national secretaries Mufeeda Thasni (Kannur district panchayat) and Najma Thabsheera (Kozhikode corporation), and state secretary Fathima Thahilliya (Kozhikode corporation). National V-P Sajid Naduvannoor is contesting in Kozhikode district panchayat.
Frustration, exhaustion, poor pay drive young Kerala doctors away, sparking debate on burnout
KOZHIKODE: For years, Kerala has proudly celebrated its brilliant young doctors, the NEET rank-holders, the ones who spent sleepless nights chasing a profession built on service, sacrifice and prestige. But in recent months, a different narrative has begun to emerge on social media stories about the frustration and exhaustion triggering an emotional, sometimes uncomfortable, debate across the state. At the centre of this growing storm are a series of personal videos by young doctors who chose to step away from the profession after years of hard study. Their confessions raw, vulnerable and at times painfully honest have forced Kerala to confront questions it has long avoided: Are young doctors being undervalued? Is the system exploiting their dedication? Or is the new generation simply unwilling to accept the hardships older doctors once embraced as part of the job? The debate took shape when Afriyna Ashraf and Irfana Ibrahim, both popular social media influencers, posted videos about why they walked away from their careers. Their accounts hit a nerve and drew overwhelming public response, revealing not only the hidden struggles of junior doctors but also the sharp generational divide within the medical community. After completing her MBBS, Afriyna began working in a private hospital in Bengaluru, where her salary was less than Rs 40,000 a month. In a city where rent itself could swallow half that amount, she found survival difficult. But the greater strain, she says, was the workload often equivalent to two doctors responsibilities. If it was truly a one-person job, I would have stayed, she said, adding that the constant pressure eroded her mental health. She has since moved into creative work and says she is happier than she has been in years. Dentist Irfana Ibrahims experience was even harsher. Her last job paid her only Rs 8,000 a month. She recalls days spent standing for hours, treating back-to-back patients, and returning home so drained that she struggled to smile. Realising that her work was neither financially nor emotionally sustainable, she made the painful decision to leave dentistry altogether. Her choice, like Afriynas, drew both criticism and support online. Addressing this opinion that young doctors who complain should simply go abroad to earn better, she said, People keep saying that abroad will give good salary and good jobs. But they dont understand that even that market is saturated. Thousands of doctors are graduating from other countries every year, and many of them come to India struggling just to find a job because of so many barriers. Their stories prompted another young doctor to post a video criticising what he described as the peanuts-like salary offered to MBBS graduates in Kerala. He claimed that young doctors often work up to 36 hours at a stretch, with minimal rest or leave, only to earn around Rs 40,000 a month. But not everyone agreed with this narrative. Among the most widely shared counterpoints was a detailed Facebook post by dentist Dr Smita Rahman, who questioned the changing attitudes of young medical professionals. Reflecting on her own journey, she described joining dentistry in 1999 without any awareness of future salary prospects. Her first job in 2005 offered her Rs 7,500 a month. She recalls working from morning to mid-afternoon without breaks, treating more than a hundred patients a day, yet feeling grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. Dr Smita argued that doctors willing to continuously update their skills still find good opportunities in Kerala. She criticised what she saw as a trend of young doctors expecting high salaries immediately after graduation. How can people trust doctors who kick aside the very profession they pledged to serve? she asked, a line that quickly spread across social media. Senior doctors, shaped by decades of sacrifice, see medicine as a calling that demands patience and dedication. Younger doctors, aware of their rights and unwilling to romanticise suffering, argue that passion does not justify exploitation.
KLF 2026 to Bring 400 Global Voices to Kozhikode Beach
Since its launch in 2016, KLF has grown into a major cultural platform, drawing over 6.5 lakh visitors and more than 600 speakers last year
Rebel threat to UDF, LDF in Kozhikode
UDF says no ties, but Welfare Party members contest as independents
KOZHIKODE: Even as the Congress-led UDF maintains that it will not enter into any formal electoral understanding with the Welfare Party of India (WPI), the ground reality across several wards in the region tells a starkly different political story. Welfare Party members, backed discreetly but decisively by UDF constituents and RMPI, are contesting as independents, reshaping traditional alliance boundaries ahead of the local body polls. The contradiction became sharply visible after noted social activist and long-time Welfare Party leader and its current secretary Fousiya Teacher announced her candidature in Ward 18 of Vadakara municipality, not under the party banner but as an independent. Her campaign has the open support of both the UDF and the RMPI. Similarly, a senior Welfare Party worker in Malappuram district, Asma Jalali is contesting in Koottilangadi panchayat as an independent candidate with UDF support. Earlier, the UDF had formally announced that it would not engage in seat-sharing or alliance arrangements with WPI, the political arm of Jamaat-e-Islami. Kozhikode DCC president K Praveen Kumar pointed out that the district committees stand was appropriate in the current context. Seat-sharing should be limited to UDF constituents and associate members, he said. Speaking to TNIE, Fousiya defended her decision to break from the party line. I decided to contest as an independent because I want all secular and democratic forces in Vadakara to unite against divisive politics. My decision is backed by the people, and supported by the UDF and the RMP purely on the strength of my work, not because of political negotiations, she said. She added that contesting independently ensures wider acceptance in a ward where coalition equations shift at the grassroots. While the UDF leadership remains cautious and defensive about its position, RMPI leaders have taken a more assertive stand. RMPI leader K S Hariharan openly questioned the hesitation to back Welfare Party candidates. Why should we not support the Welfare Party when the Election Commission itself has recognised them and granted registration? They are a lawful organisation. If they were associated with terrorism as some allege, the Election Commission would never have approved them. Supporting such candidates is not a mistake, he said. Welfare Party district general secretary Salih Kodapana, meanwhile, admitted that political pragmatism often overrides ideological rigidity at the grassroots. LSG polls create situations where we may not always be able to contest directly under our banner. Sometimes alliances become necessary. Things will be very different in assembly polls, he said. External support sometimes necessary Local body polls create situations where we may not always be able to contest directly under our banner. Sometimes alliances or external support become necessary, said WPI district general secretary
Opposition mounts against UDFs tie-up with Welfare Party
KOZHIKODE: Pressure is mounting on the UDF not to have an alliance with the Welfare Party of India, the political wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, even while the Congress-led front is going ahead with its plan of local-level adjustments with the party in the local body elections. The latest to raise voice against the tie-up is Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakadavu, the working secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS), who sought to remind the UDF that the Jamaat and Muslim Brotherhood are the two sides of the same coin. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Faizy said Jamaat had declared that the Muslims who cooperate with the democratic system or exercise their franchise would automatically be out of Islam. The same organisation later formed a political party to be a part of the same system by becoming an ally of different political fronts, he said. Faizy said this should be viewed seriously because the Jamaat is a cadre organisation that would not hesitate to resort to any strategy to achieve its aim. If the Jamaat is elected in Sunni-majority mahals, the organisation will convert the local body ward and mahal as its own, he said. Faizy recalled that the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth organisation of the Jamaat, had carried the photos of leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the protest march to the Kozhikode Airport last April. IUML has surrendered its Sunni ideology Faizy said the efforts from the part of certain persons to forge alliance with the Jamaat was the reason behind the issues in Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama. Diluting the Samasthas stand that deviant groups should be kept at distance would lead to acceptance of the ideology of forces like Jamaat, he said. Meanwhile, the INL has expressed concern over the development of the Panakkad family members declaring the Jamaat candidates. Panakkad Syed Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal had declared the candidates for Kodur panchayat in Malappuram, which included the names of Welfare Party members. INL state general secretary Kasim Irikkur said the incident marked a change in Kerala politics. The IUML has donated many seats to the Welfare Party neglecting the opposition from local-level leaders and workers, he said. Kasim added that the IUML has surrendered its Sunni ideology.
On the run, yet in the race: UDF fields fugitive fresh cut protest chief
KOZHIKODE: In a dramatic twist to the local body elections in Thamarassery, a fugitive Muslim League leader facing an international Look Out Circular (LOC) has emerged as the UDFs official candidate. Sainul Abideen, alias Babu Kudukkil, wanted in connection with last months violent clash at the Fresh Cut poultry waste treatment plant, filed his nomination for ward 11 on Thursday, despite being absconding for over a month. The police were caught off guard after learning that Babu, chairman of the protest committee against the plant, executed a covert re-entry into India solely to contest the polls. Investigators said he flew from his hideout in the UAE to Nepal, crossed into India by road to evade immigration checks, and then took a domestic flight to Kozhikode. Since the LOC does not apply to internal travel, he managed to sign nomination papers untracked. He left the district immediately after. The operation was allegedly facilitated by local party functionaries. The police have taken into custody Hafis Rahman, former IUML panchayat president, for coordinating Babus movements and arranging the meeting with a gazetted officer required for filing the nomination. The UDF and the Congress, meanwhile, are standing firmly by their choice. Panchayat president A Aravindan called the police case fabricated and described Babu as a victim and a leader who understands local issues. The area remains tense, with posters from families affected by the Fresh Cut plant asking parties not to seek votes. Babu faces LDFs Navas, another local resident, as police intensify efforts to nab the accused. Some victims of the Fresh Cut plant expressed their helpless situation through some posters. However, the protest committee has decided that staying aloof from the panchayat election will not benefit anything, said Thampi P P, protest committee leader. Despite police confidence in eventually apprehending the accused, the question now gripping Thamarassery is whether the fugitive candidate will risk a public appearance during the high-stakes campaign, or if his entire election bid will be conducted from the shadows.
One more death due to amoebic fever in Kozhikode
Election authorities to check suspected entry of minors names on voters list in Kozhikode
The details of six students, whose names were reportedly added after alleged Aadhar card alteration, have been submitted to the election authorities for action
Onchiyam where CPM, RMP are locked in a bitter turf war
KOZHIKODE: As Kerala inches closer to the local body elections, all eyes are once again on Onchiyam, the politically charged panchayat that has long been synonymous with red flags, ideological clashes, and the lingering shadow of a political murder that reshaped the Left in Kerala. For decades, Onchiyam was considered an unshakable fortress of CPM. But that changed in 2010 when the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), born out of rebellion and blood, captured power following the brutal killing of its founder, T P Chandrasekharan, a former CPM leader who was expelled from the party. Since then, the RMP and the CPM have been locked in a bitter turf war for control over this small but politically symbolic panchayat. Once a CPM bastion, Onchiyam transformed into the RMPs ideological capital after Chandrasekharans murder in 2012. His widow, K K Rema, rose from tragedy to political prominence, representing the RMP in the state assembly. RMP has strengthened its roots in Onchiyam. Development has been visible, especially since K K Rema became an MLA. The CPM no longer has the same influence here, according to the local residents. But for some others, There hasnt been any real development in 15 years. Whatever work happened benefited their own people. The CPM will bring discipline and structure back if they return. RMP MLA K K Rema, who has become the face of anti-CPM Left politics, exudes confidence as she campaigns through Onchiyam. The development visible in Onchiyam is both from the panchayats work and my initiatives as an MLA. In this digital age, no one can mislead voters. CPM can show gimmicks at the end of their tenure, but the truth is visible, even in their own panchayats. RMP has set an example of transparent governance. I am confident we will win more seats than before, said Rema. The Left ideology no longer exists within the CPM. They have aligned with capitalist and communal forces. What ideals do they have left to tell voters? Their campaign is filled with fake propaganda on social media. But people are not fools. They can see whats been done, and they will deliver a verdict based on facts. The Left will face a historic defeat in Onchiyam and across Kerala. Responding sharply to Remas remarks, T P Bineesh, CPM Onchiyam area secretary, asserted that the LDF is poised for a comeback. There is no doubt, the LDF will recapture the Onchiyam panchayat. The party has grown politically in this region. In the last election, CPM lost by a narrow margin, but the people have seen our continuous grassroots work. We are confident of a massive return, he said. Bineesh emphasised that the CPM campaign focuses on peoples welfare, not personalities. We are not concerned about what the MLA or opponents say. Our politics connects with ordinary people, not through social media but through direct engagement. The people of Onchiyam know who truly represents their interests, and that clarity will be reflected in the ballot box, he added.
LDF MLA Jaleel accuses IUML of reviving Muslim unity slogan with extremist backing ahead of polls
KOZHIKODE: K T Jaleel, MLA, has alleged that the IUML has the shameful history of raising the slogan of Muslim unity whenever the party is in crisis. In an article published in the Deshabhimani daily on Friday, he said the party is using the same weapon in the ensuing elections too, this time with the help of Islamic extremists, cyber warriors and anti-communists. Jaleel said the slogan of Muslim unity was first raised after the merger of the IUML and the All-India Muslim League. League arrogated that all mainstream Muslim organisations have paraded behind the party. But the people had decided to keep the UDF and the IUML in the opposition, he said. After the failed attempt, the party is now raising the same slogan. The IUML could not digest the fact that the LDF returned to power in 2021. The party joined hands with the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was once its arch enemy, he said. The kind of communal propaganda unleashed by the Jamaat-IUML combine is worse than the previous one, he added. Jaleel said the WhatsApp groups of IUML sympathisers and family members are now filled with communally provocative materials. The party is under the false impression that it is the Jamaat media which shapes the thought process of the Muslim community, he said. According to Jaleel, this has resulted in similar materials getting circulated in Hindu and Christian family groups and are being spread widely by the Sangh Parivar and CASA. He believes that this process will be strengthened if the communal forces are not defeated. Jaleel said the election of Zohran Mamdani as the mayor of New York from a place where there are less than 5%Muslims should be a lesson. He was elected from a place where the Jews and Christians are the majority. Mamdani would not have won if every community had thought of its own issues, he said. Jaleel exhorted the people to make the LDF, a coalition of people from all religions, victorious in the upcoming polls.
Zero-vote candidate has nothing to lose, everything to gain in Kerala
KOZHIKODE: O P Rasheed, the candidate who made headlines in the 2020 local-body elections by failing to secure even a single vote, is back in the fray. Far from being disheartened, Rasheed insists that his previous defeat was not a setback but a successful strategic move crafted by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to ensure the victory of Karat Faizal. Speaking with discernible confidence, Rasheed maintains that the zero-vote episode will not be repeated this time. In 2020, the LDF initially selected Faizal as its candidate for the Chundapparamba division. However, Faizal was at the receiving end of public criticism owing to allegations linked to the infamous gold smuggling case. Growing protests and intense backlash put the LDF leadership in a difficult position. To quell the unrest, the LDF replaced Faizal with O P Rasheed, who represented the National Youth League. But the election results were shocking as Rasheed did not receive even a single vote, not even his own. Running as an independent, Faizal went on to win the seat by a margin of 82 votes. It was all planned, claims Rasheed. Now, Rasheed asserts that the surprising numbers of 2020 were no accident. According to him, the LDF had never abandoned Faizal in spirit, even though his official candidature was withdrawn. Voters did not reject Faizal. LDF workers and committees rallied behind him. My candidature was part of a strategy. Zero votes were part of that plan. It was our victory, he says. Rasheed notes that he actively participated in the early stages of the campaign and insists that had he received even a few votes, Faizal might have lost. I stood as a candidate only to ensure Faizals win, he claims. This time, Rasheed is contesting from KTK (Kedekkunnu) division and is confident of a clear victory. He asserts that he is no longer playing a strategic role but is genuinely contesting to win. Meanwhile, Faizal whom Rasheed helped secure victory earlier is contesting the upcoming election as an LDF-backed independent from South Koduvally. Faizal maintains that the issues surrounding the gold smuggling allegations no longer matter, and the CPM reportedly sees no problem with his candidature.
9,977 candidates file nominations in Kozhikode district
Visually impaired to get training to cast votes independently
Scientific training is being offered to visually impaired voters on using electronic voting machines, supported by a team of 30 volunteers who recently completed their training in Kozhikode city
ED raids residences of former MLA P.V. Anvar, relatives in Kerala in load fraud case
Multiple teams of the ED from Chennai, Kochi and Kozhikode units, supported by the Central police force, began the raid at six houses soon after dawn
Defections across parties roil pre-poll scene in Kozhikode district
Long-time party workers from multiple political fronts are on the list of persons who recently quit their parent organisations after disagreements over candidate selection
Murder of a merchant without a past
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Long before police pieced together the lies he lived and died for, Harihara Varma built a life like a man who knew how to stay just outside the reach of questions. He sold gemstones whose origins he never fully explained, claimed ancestral links he never proved and told stories so confidently that even seasoned buyers found themselves leaning in. It was these tales that drew a group of young men into his orbit, ultimately paving way for his demise. What happened on December 24, 2012, was a murder wrapped inside a scam. Varma walked into what he believed was a business deal with buyers from Karnataka who posed as high-profile men looking to acquire rare and precious stones. In truth, everything about that meeting was scripted, a trap the gang spent seven months constructing. They used SIM cards acquired using fake Aadhaar cards. They created a fictitious persona the son of a Karnataka minister to make the deal look grander. A lawyer, the sixth accused, was the middleman. The meeting place was the lawyers daughters locked house in Vattiyoorkavu. The police would later say the planning was almost immaculate. But as retired Intelligence Range SP R Prathapan Nair, who was part of the Special Investigation Team, puts it, No matter how meticulous, there will always be a lead. Harihara Varma In this case, the lead was a phone number the killers thought they had erased. All their devices were destroyed after the murder, every SIM discarded. But one phone number they had used to contact Varma, eight months earlier, resurfaced under the Vattiyoorkavu mobile tower on the very day the murder took place. It was enough. Once police pulled that thread, the rest of the conspiracy was solved. The gangs plan was not to kill him but to sedate him, take the stones and disappear. When negotiations failed and Varma refused to finalise the deal, they tried sedatives and then chloroform. The dosage went wrong, and the robbery turned into homicide. But the real mystery of the case was not the murder. It was the man at the centre of it. Police soon realised that very little about Harihara Varma was real. His tales of a Poonjar ancestral lineage and inherited jewels were fabrications. His documents raised more questions than answers. To this day, officers believe he might have been an orphan, someone who ran away in his teens, wandered across northern India, and slowly built a new identity. The police made enquiries to various royal families. However, they couldnt find anyone named Bhaskara Varma and his son Harihara Varma. Even the stones that drove the conspiracy turned out to be far less valuable than believed. Then assistant commissioner, now Kozhikode Rural SP K E Baiju, recalls how the team searched across the country for an accredited gem expert to authenticate Varmas collection. There was none. The stones were eventually deemed semi-precious, worth about `30 lakh together, nothing to justify the greedy fantasy that led to his death. They thought it was worth `300 crore, says Baiju. Varmas wife, Girija Menon, later moved the court, saying some stones had ties to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. But since the investigation could never establish anything substantial, thecourt later dismissed it. She had lived with him for more than 15 years. Yet, even when the investigation reached its most crucial stages, his wife did not disclose his identity. I believe she knows. But we cannot force them into polygraph tests, adds Baiju. The case was later handed over to the crime branch. They found 3,647 gemstones, which included 65 pearls, 73 emeralds, 22 chrysoberyl stones, 4 rubies, 5 sapphires and 29 yellow sapphires. Several were brilliantly cut, some were unpolished, some were of doubtful quality, and 341 of them were later determined to be artificial. However, a geologist who examined them would testify that 3,306 stones were naturally formed precious stones, even if not all were high-value gems. The killers Jithesh, Ajeesh, Rakhil, and Ragesh were eventually convicted and handed life sentences. Joseph and lawyer Haridas were acquitted. The murder investigation was closed with clarity. However, the tale of Varma, his origins, his curated persona, and his secrets remain unresolved to date. The man left behind no verifiable past. CasE diary This weekly column brings you exciting, intriguing police stories, straight from the crime files
Sunni scholars caution against misleading Sufi groups
KOZHIKODE: Sunni scholars are cautioning believers against certain Sufi orders that they claim stand against the basic tenets of Islam and are spreading un-Islamic ideas in the name of Sufism. The immediate provocation was a press conference conducted by an organisation called the Sufi Islamic Board - Kerala on November 7 in Mannarkkad, Palakkad. In an article published in the Suprabhaatham daily, Islamic scholar Shuhaibul Haithami said the assertions made at the press conference were weird and make Sufism the launching pad for disbelief. Haithami said the basis of secular Sufis is the idea that one should forsake religion and become a human being, which is the slogan of atheists. The Sufi Islamic Boards argument that the Advaita concept of Aham Brahmasmi (I am the divine consciousness) and Islam are the same is born out of ignorance, he said. Haithami argued that there are different motives behind the creation of a common religion by mixing certain elements from existing faiths. There are attempts to assert that all religions are true. These Sufis also try create confusion by quoting Sufi poets like Jalaluddin Rumi and Omar Khayyam out of context, he said. He said the 62nd verse of the Surah Al Baqarah in the Quran has been constantly misinterpreted to argue that it is not mandatory to have faith in Islam and being a good human being is enough. The message of the Prophet is not to become good human beings but to worship Allah and to recognise Muhammad as the Prophet, Haithami said. In a related development, the mushawara (supreme consultative body) of the Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis said that Sufi are people who love and obey Allah and his Prophet and those who move away from this path cannot be treated as Sufis. A meeting of the mushawara on November 10 warned believers against falling into the trap of fake Sufis. It said Sheikh Jeelani, the leader of the true Sufis, had reminded that many of those who pose as Sufia may not be the real Sufis. We should be vigilant, especially when the enemies of Islam are getting organised under different titles, felt the mushawara, which was attended by senior scholars, including Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar and E Sulaiman Musliyar. At their presser, office-bearers of the Sufi Islamic Board said the Prophet propagated love, not the religion of Islam. They said the organisation includes people of all religions and upholds the tradition of the country that welcomed all faiths. They claimed that the board has been recognised by the Union ministry for youth and Sports.
Ex-Deputy Collector joins the poll fray in Kozhikode
E. Antihakumari, who retired from service in May 2025, is contesting the local body election as LDF candidate from the Mathottam ward of the Kozhikode Corporation
Student killed in road accident in Kozhikode
Control room opened to handle complaints on brewing of illicit liquor in Kozhikode
Season of defections in Kozhikode
Candidates launch ward-level campaigns across Kozhikode district
52 candidates submit nominations in Kozhikode district
Tale of the Congress surprise candidate in Kozhikode
Event in memory of V.S. Achuthanandan in Kozhikode
Healthcare Management And AI Programme Launched By Indian Institute Of Management Kozhikode
The application deadline is November 19 and candidates who enrol before the deadline will receive a benefit of Rs 8,000.
Poll picture becomes clearer in Kozhikode
LDF announces candidates for 73 divisions in Corpn; UDF announces majority of candidates; BJP to complete candidate list for Corpn. as well as district panchayat on Sunday
Lightning strikes two houses in Kozhikode
Election buzz boosts business in Kozhikode with bespoke campaign merchandise
From snazzy paper posters to custom-made keychains and colourful headgears, the shops are buzzing with activity as the creative entrepreneurs try to tap into the growing demand
Ice orathi and pickled vegetables at the new food street on Kozhikode beach
As Kozhikode enforces new food safety measures, the food carts that once defined the beach make way for modern, numbered food stalls
Kerala teen dies after falling from a building
DUBAI, Nov 14: A Kerala teen, who was visiting Dubai, died after falling from the top of a building in Deira, local media reported. Mohammed Mishal, 19, from Kozhikode district of Kerala, was visiting his cousins and had been in Dubai for about 15 days, Gulf News reported. The incident occurred on November 7 when Mishal reportedly went to the terrace of a multi-storey building to take photographs of flights. He was staying with his cousins here while his [] The post Kerala teen dies after falling from a building appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Local body polls: Final picture likely to emerge soon in Kozhikode
While the LDF declared most of its candidates for the district panchayat, the Congress announced its second list of nominees, including filmmaker V.M. Vinu, for the Kozhikode Corporation
CAT 2025 mock test link active at iimcat.ac.in: Here is how to attempt practice exam online
IIM Kozhikode has launched the official CAT 2025 mock test, offering aspirants a realistic simulation of the exam interface, structure, and timing. Candidates can access the test on iimcat.ac.in to familiarize themselves with the VARC, DILR, and QA sections. This crucial practice helps in strategizing and building confidence before the November 30th exam.
Collector orders attachment of assets of investment firm in Kozhikode
Local body polls: Fronts in final stages of selection of candidates in Kozhikode
LDF expected to announce its candidates list on Thursday
Delhi blast: Police step up inspections in Keralas Kozhikode district
Police are conducting random inspections with the support of bomb detection and disposal squads as part of the heightened surveillance measures in Kerala
CAT admit card 2025 released: Download from iimcat.ac.in for November 30 exam
CAT admit card 2025: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has released the CAT admit card 2025 on iimcat.ac.in. The exam will be held on November 30 across 170 cities in three shifts. Over 2.95 lakh candidates are registered. The admit card contains essential details including name, photo, roll number, exam centre, and timings. Candidates must carry a valid photo ID and follow instructions. A mock test is available on the official website to familiarise candidates.
IIM Kozhikode has released the admit cards for CAT 2025. Candidates can check their exam date, session, and test centre via their CAT login. A mock test will be available from November 12. Over 2.95 lakh candidates have registered for the exam, which will be tested in three key areas.
CAT 2025 Admit Card at iimcat.ac.in: The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode is releasing the CAT 2025 admit card today. Candidates can download their hall tickets from iimcat.ac.in. The Common Admission Test is scheduled for November 30. This exam is crucial for admission to top management programmes. The admit card contains important details like exam slot and centre.
Kozhikode Mayor Beena Philip and Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar express a desire to return to organisational roles in their parties, while Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese hints at political ambitions. Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran also appears to be primed for a larger political assignment
IIM Kozhikode has released the CAT 2025 admit card today. Candidates can download it from iimcat.ac.in using their user ID and password. The CAT 2025 exam will be held on November 30 across 170 cities. The admit card includes exam date, centre details, and important instructions.
CAT 2025 admit card releasing today at iimcat.ac.in: Check login details, exam slots, and guidelines
IIM Kozhikode is releasing the CAT 2025 admit card today, November 12, 2025, on iimcat.ac.in. This crucial document is mandatory for the highly competitive MBA entrance exam scheduled for November 30, 2025. Candidates must download and verify their hall tickets promptly, ensuring all details are accurate before the exam day.
BJP publishes first list of candidates for Kozhikode Corporation
CAT 2025 admit card to be released on this date: Check where and how to download IIM hall ticket
IIM Kozhikode releases CAT 2025 admit cards tomorrow, November 12th, for the exam on November 30th. Candidates can download their hall tickets from iimcat.ac.in. A mock test is also scheduled for November 12th to help aspirants prepare. The admit card contains crucial details; ensure all information is accurate and carry a printout with valid ID to the exam centre.
Kerala local body polls 2025: Congress, CMP announce candidates for Kozhikode Corporation
Congress announces 22 of its 49 candidates to contest in various divisions of Kozhikode Corporation, while CMP announces its two candidates. CPI(M)s list expected on November 12
