A recent resolution from the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has stirred up significant controversy in Kerala. During their Kunnothparamba regional conference, the organization honored an individual who died in a bomb explosion in Panur, Kannur, as a “martyr.” This move has sparked widespread debate and criticism.
The victim, Sherin, lost his life on April 5, 2024, in an blast at Mooliyathodu, Panur, while reportedly engaged in the assembly of a crude bomb. The same incident also resulted in another young man losing his hand. Previous reports suggested that approximately 15 DYFI members, including Sherin, were involved in this illicit bomb-making activity.
At the time of the incident, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leadership vehemently denied any association with the activity or with Sherin. Both district and state-level CPI(M) officials explicitly stated that Sherin was not a party worker. However, this stance was undermined by the visits of local CPI(M) leaders to Sherin’s residence immediately after the explosion, which itself became a point of contention.
The inclusion of Sherin’s name in the DYFI’s list of “martyrs” at their recent conference directly contradicts the CPI(M)’s earlier denials and has reignited the heated public and political discussion surrounding the incident.
When approached by media for comments on this latest development, party leaders have remained silent.
Further fueling the controversy is the fact that Amal Babu, who is an accused in the very same Panur Muliyathod blast case, was elected as the secretary of the CPI(M) Meethale Kunnothparamba branch. This branch had initially been disbanded following the incident due to the party’s assertion of no involvement. However, Amal’s appointment as secretary a year later adds another layer of complexity and contradiction to the party’s official narrative.