The police removing SFI activists taking out a march to the aquatics complex in Thrissur on Friday, protesting against the ‘shortcomings’ in the conduct of the State School Games.
| Photo Credit: K.K. NAJEEB
The swimming events of the State School Games being held in Thrissur were postponed on Friday after roofing sheets at the aquatics complex came loose and fell amid heavy rain and wind, injuring students. The decision triggered protests from parents, who alleged that they were informed about the postponement only after they reached the venue.
The mishap occurred when the roofing sheets of a temporary seating area at the complex were blown off. Ten students were reportedly injured in incidents linked to the rain and the accident.
Parents who arrived with their children for the day’s events were informed that the competitions had been postponed and that a revised schedule would be announced later. This led to heated exchanges between parents and officials, with the parents alleging serious lapses in the organisation of the Games.
Water, accommodation
They also complained of inadequate accommodation and drinking water arrangements. Following discussions, the authorities agreed to provide ₹150 each as travel allowance to the participating students. The incident also triggered protests by the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both organisations marching to the aquatics complex separately.
The AISF accused the Sports department and the organisers of failing to ensure basic safety and facilities for participants. “Students and spectators were put at risk because temporary structures at the venue were not secured properly,” said K.S. Abhiram, AISF district president, and Mithun Pottakkaran, district secretary. They alleged that the arrangements for demanded immediate assistance for the injured students and steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining events.
The BJP alleged serious lapses in the organisation of the Games. The police stopped the party’s protest march by putting up barricades, and a water cannon was used when protesters attempted to breach them. BJP workers who blocked the road were removed by the police.
Addressing the protest meeting, BJP State vice-president K.K. Anish Kumar alleged that adequate arrangements for drinking water, food and accommodation had not been made for the participants. He also questioned the absence of a broader organising committee involving local representatives.
He alleged that the accident occurred because the sheets at the temporary venue had not been properly secured and demanded an inquiry into the incident. The BJP demanded action against those responsible for the lapses and called for the resignation of Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh.
Following the accident, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists staged a protest at the complex on Friday, demanding action on alleged lapses by the General Education department in the conduct of the Games. Led by the SFI district committee, the activists gheraoed the office of Education officials at the complex. SFI State Secretariat member Jishnu Sathyan inaugurated the protest.
Published – October 02, 2026 07:22 pm IST
