K. Sudhakaran, the president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), criticized the Kerala government on March 5, alleging the misuse of police to suppress legitimate grievances raised by public representatives. He condemned the arrests of MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan and Ernakulam district Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas, stating that their bail was granted “in solidarity” with their issues. Kuzhalnadan was arrested during an indefinite hunger strike demanding a permanent solution to human-wildlife conflicts. Sudhakaran criticized the government’s actions, accusing them of targeting those affected by wild animal attacks instead of supporting them.