'Kiss Street' protest in Kozhikode ends up in clash; 31 arrested

On New Year's Day, the Njattuvela activists who are self-proclaimed revolutionaries and the Hanuman Sena’s moral police ended up getting into a clash in Kozhikode, Kerala. The Njattuvela activists had gathered at the Kidson corner, Mananchira, to hold a 'Kiss Street' protest. Hanuman Sena activists got into a fight with them and two people injured. 31 people were arrested, according to media reports.

The Kiss Street  protest was initiated as a ‘resistance against the growing fascist elements in the society’ and to also remove upper caste symbols like the ‘mangalsutra’, according to a New Indian Express report. The activists gathered to protest this and wanted people to be free of all such symbols related to caste and religion. 

The report added that this is the second time the two groups have gotten into an altercation in the city. A restaurant was reportedly destroyed last time. Nearly 60 police personnel were posted at Kidson corner to bring the groups, which included women, under control. Aneeb PA, a media person, was also reportedly arrested as he is said to have links with Kiss Street activists and allegedly attacked the police.