October 9 , 2025 : The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed dramatic scenes on Wednesday as three Opposition MLAs were suspended following an alleged physical altercation with security personnel inside the Assembly premises. The suspension came after Speaker A. N. Shamseer took serious note of the incident and ordered disciplinary action for violating the decorum of the House.
According to reports, the incident occurred during a protest staged by Opposition members of the United Democratic Front (UDF), who were demanding discussions on various issues, including price rise and governance concerns. The situation escalated when the MLAs reportedly tried to block the Speaker’s way and clashed with security personnel deployed to maintain order.
The suspended legislators have been identified as Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Anwar Sadath, and Roji M. John, all members of the Congress party. Following the scuffle, marshals and security staff intervened to control the situation, leading to brief chaos in the Assembly corridor.
The Speaker condemned the behavior, stating that no form of aggression or disruption can be tolerated in a democratic institution. “The Assembly is a place for dialogue and debate, not for physical confrontation. Such acts bring disrepute to the House,” Shamseer remarked while announcing the suspension.
The decision to suspend the MLAs was passed by a voice vote, with members of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) supporting the motion. The suspended MLAs will not be allowed to attend Assembly proceedings for the remainder of the ongoing session.
Opposition leaders, however, strongly criticized the ruling front’s decision, calling it “politically motivated and unfair.” Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan accused the government of silencing dissent and claimed that the protest was peaceful until police and marshals used unnecessary force. “The suspension is an attempt to suppress the Opposition’s voice. We will continue to raise issues that affect the people,” he said.
The ruling LDF government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, defended the Speaker’s decision, stating that the action was necessary to maintain discipline and uphold the dignity of the Assembly. Government spokespersons emphasized that law and order must prevail even within the legislative space.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the confrontation began when the Opposition members moved toward the Speaker’s chair, shouting slogans, after their demand for an adjournment motion was denied. In the ensuing commotion, some MLAs allegedly pushed security staff, leading to the charge of “attack on personnel.”
Security officials have since filed a formal complaint, and a preliminary inquiry is underway to assess the exact sequence of events. Visuals from Assembly CCTV cameras are expected to be reviewed as part of the investigation.
The incident has sparked a heated political debate in Kerala, with both sides blaming each other for the chaos. Social media users and political commentators have also shared mixed reactions, with some calling for accountability from public representatives, while others accuse the government of overreacting.
Political analysts point out that tensions between the ruling and Opposition parties have been rising in recent months over several policy issues, including inflation, unemployment, and governance disputes. The Assembly session, which was expected to focus on key bills and budgetary discussions, has now been overshadowed by the suspension controversy.
In a statement issued later in the evening, the Kerala Assembly Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline and mutual respect within the House. It also warned that future disruptions or violent conduct could attract more severe action.
This is not the first time such an incident has taken place in the Kerala Assembly — similar disruptions have occurred in past sessions, but this confrontation marks one of the most serious disciplinary cases in recent years.
As of now, the suspended MLAs have announced plans to challenge the decision both politically and legally. The Opposition is likely to stage a protest outside the Assembly on Thursday to demand the revocation of the suspensions.
Summary
Three Congress MLAs were suspended from the Kerala Assembly for allegedly attacking security staff during a protest. The Speaker cited misconduct, while the Opposition called the action politically motivated.