Kunhalikutty Downplays Kochi Traffic Chaos During Youth League Rally, Says Criticism Reflects Media's Mindset

Kochi: Minister PK Kunhalikutty has downplayed the severe traffic congestion caused in Kochi by the Youth League rally and complaints that even pedestrians were assaulted. Speaking to the media, Kunhalikutty said reporting problems associated with such events was a reflection of the media's mindset. He said it was not right to focus only on the inconvenience caused to the public without highlighting the positive aspects of the rally.

"The rally was organised for a purpose. News coverage should also focus on that purpose. The inconvenience caused to the public should not be the only aspect reported. When such events take place, how people perceive them is a matter of their mindset," he said.

Kunhalikutty also claimed that, compared with other rallies organised for similar causes, the Youth League procession had caused the least inconvenience.

When asked about complaints that Muslim League workers had assaulted pedestrians and others during the rally, Kunjalikutty did not give a clear response. He said, that too was a matter of mindset. He also evaded further questions, saying he had nothing more to say about the incident.

Police had registered a case against Youth League leaders, including Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal and PK Firoz, over the traffic disruption caused by the rally. However, Kunjalikutty maintained that the media should not focus on the registration of the case, insisting that the purpose of organising the rally should be given importance.

Meanwhile, Home Minister and Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also came forward in defence of the organisers amid the controversy surrounding the Youth League rally. Chennithala said the traffic congestion was not due to any failure on the part of the organisers.

He said the High Court had issued directions to register cases against programmes that obstruct traffic and that the police had acted accordingly. The registration of a case did not mean that there had been any lapse in the organisation of the rally, he added.