In a striking display of resilience, Kerala Health Minister Veena George returned to her duties on Tuesday, donning a cervical collar following an alleged assassination attempt during a protest last week. Meanwhile, a Kannur court rejected bail pleas for five KSU activists accused in the case, escalating political tensions ahead of assembly elections.
The incident unfolded on February 25 at Kannur Railway Station, where the minister was reportedly targeted during a black flag protest by KSU workers affiliated with the Congress-led opposition. Protesters allegedly pressed a sharp object against her neck, prompting immediate medical attention. George was first admitted to Kannur District Hospital before being transferred to Pariyaram Medical College. Defying medical advice, she discharged herself after a day and drove over 350 km back to her home in Pathanamthitta.
Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court dismissed the bail applications after hearing arguments from both sides. Defense lawyers argued the event was merely a protest with no weapons recovered and no evidence of an assault weapon. They claimed George’s initial inability to give a statement was due to her condition, though she later spoke to TV channels. Prosecutors countered that further CCTV analysis was needed, suspecting involvement of additional persons and use of a small weapon to apply pressure on her neck.
The court agreed with the prosecution, denying bail and scheduling the next hearing for March 5. George’s return to work in the cervical collar has reignited memories of a similar incident during the 2021 assembly election campaign. As polls approach, the opposition accuses the LDF government of dramatizing the event, while social media trolls amplify claims of ‘fake drama.’
This case underscores the rising political friction in Kerala, where student protests often turn volatile. Health Minister George’s determination to continue despite injury highlights her commitment, but it also fuels debates on security for public figures amid intensifying campaign rhetoric.