Police dismantle Kerala jobseekers' protest tent, Priyanka Gandhi backs right to protest

Police officials in Kerala dismantled a makeshift tent that jobseekers had erected as part of a strike demanding more employment opportunities. The removal took place after authorities cited concerns over public order and the legality of the encampment.

The protest, which had drawn attention to the state's high unemployment rates among graduates, was organized by a coalition of youth groups. Demonstrators had been camping near a prominent public area, urging the state government to accelerate job creation measures.

During the same period, senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi addressed the media, stating that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic guarantee and should be respected by the administration. She called for dialogue between the authorities and the aggrieved jobseekers.

No injuries were reported in the police operation, and the tent was cleared without incident. The incident underscores the tension between civil activism and law‑enforcement actions in the state.

The state government has not yet issued a formal response regarding the removal or the demands raised by the protesters.