DYFI activists block Shafi Parambil MP’s vehicle at Vadakara in Kozhikode

Activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) blocked a vehicle carrying Shafi Parambil, Congress MP, at Vadakara in Kozhikode on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) and raised slogans against him for allegedly trying to protect his close aide Rahul Mamkootathil, Palakkad MLA, who is in the eye of a storm over allegations of sexual misconduct.

The incident happened in the evening when Mr. Parambil was returning from an Onam event for differently-abled children organised by K.K. Rema, the local MLA.

The DYFI activists jumped in front of the MP’s vehicle and raised slogans against him. They also carried a banner with critical remarks against Mr. Parambil. Though the MP tried to come out of the vehicle to talk to the protesters, the police personnel persuaded him against it.

However, as the protest intensified, Mr. Parambil ventured out of his vehicle and entered into an argument with the DYFI activists. He also alleged that the protesters hurled abuses against him. “They have all the right to stage a protest. But they need not shower bad words… If they are thinking that I will get scared and run away from Vadakara, they are mistaken. I will stay put here,” he told the media later.

The protesters were later taken into custody by the police.

The DYFI members had earlier staged a protest against the MP on August 23 at Vadakara while he was attending another event there. This also led to a sharp exchange of words between the Kozhikode District Committee, which said it would go to any extent to protect the MP, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) district committee, which alleged that Mr. Parambil was protecting someone accused of sexual misconduct.