A protest has been held in Kolenchery demanding that the Vadavukode Kalavayal ground be reopened to sports enthusiasts and that the Vadavukode-Puthencruz grama panchayat reconsider its decision to use the site as a parking ground for the Paul P Mani Auditorium.
The Kunnathunad മണ്ഡലം committee of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) organised a march to the panchayat office over the issue. The protest was inaugurated by AIYF state committee member Alvin Xavier, while మండലം president Vishnu Kunnathunad presided over the event.
According to the protesters, the ground had been developed using ₹1 crore sanctioned by former MLA P V Sreenijin. They alleged that the panchayat has completely closed the ground after construction, preventing sports enthusiasts from using the facility.
The proposed use of the ground as an auditorium parking area has become the central point of opposition. The AIYF has demanded that the panchayat withdraw or reconsider the decision and restore the ground for sporting activities.
The dispute highlights the role of local bodies in deciding how community land and public facilities are used. A playground can serve as a shared recreational and sporting space, while an auditorium may require parking and access arrangements. In this case, the protest centres on whether the developed ground should remain available for sports or be reassigned to support an adjoining public facility.
The march was attended by AIYF Kunnathunad secretary Pranav Prabhakaran, CPI మండലം secretary K P Elias, assistant secretary P K Madhu, district committee member Kishitha George, and మండలం secretariat members T R Viswappan and Binu Balan. Local secretary Jacob Varghese, district committee member A R Rajeev, మండലം vice-president Vipin Thiruvaniyoor, joint secretary Robin Peter and మండలం sports convenor M T Jemith also addressed the gathering.
The protesters have called for the panchayat to review its decision and open the Vadavukode Kalavayal ground to the public for sporting use. The supplied report does not include a response from the panchayat or details of any revised decision or implementation timeline.
