Man apologises for tearing Kodiyeri Balakrishnan banner at SFI rally

A man who tore down a flex board featuring late CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan during an SFI protest rally in Kollam has apologised and said he acted after mistaking the display for Congress promotional material. Akbar Shah, a resident of Kilikollur, issued the explanation in a video following the incident during a protest march organised by the SFI Kollam District Committee. He said he had not intentionally infiltrated the procession and asked for forgiveness.

Shah also said he had previously been an active worker of both the Students’ Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India. He told viewers that he had moved abroad for employment and was in Kerala on leave when he came across the demonstration in Kollam town. According to Shah, he joined the rally spontaneously.

He rejected claims that he had no connection with the SFI, saying he had been a former member of the organisation. The demonstration was held as part of a statewide student strike. During the procession, Shah damaged the board carrying an image of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the late former State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

After the incident, SFI district leaders said Shah was not a member and held no active position in any SFI committee. They said the circumstances of his entry into the procession should be investigated and described his conduct as unacceptable. The Kollam district committee also sought strict legal action.

Shah’s apology and account provide his explanation for the incident, while the source material does not state whether any police case or other legal action had been completed.