Kerala lawmaker John Brittas allegedly beaten by CRPF troops; student group reports injuries

NEW DELHI, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

Kerala Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas Allegedly Assaulted by CRPF in Delhi; SFI Activists Report Brutality Amid Anti-CEC Protests

Brittas, who sustained injuries and was later abandoned by the roadside, accused security forces of violating parliamentary immunity and escalating state repression against dissent.

The assault on Brittas—who identified himself repeatedly as an MP—marks a sharp escalation in police crackdowns on anti-establishment protests, as Delhi authorities deploy heavy-handed tactics against demonstrators demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The incident follows a second day of clashes, with Students Federation of India (SFI) activists, including National President Adarsh M.

Saji, reporting brutal beatings, sexual harassment, and systemic abuse inside police vehicles, according to video evidence and statements from the CPI(M) and SFI.

Brittas, speaking to reporters after the attack, described how CRPF personnel ignored his parliamentary status and subjected him to physical assault. “Although I told them I am an MP, the CRPF personnel continued to attack me,” he said. “They pinned me to the seat and tried to choke me. This is the plight of an MP in this country.

Whatever Delhi Police does, we will be in this struggle till our last breath.” Footage shared by the CPI(M) shows Brittas being dragged away by security forces while he protests his detention, and later being assisted into an autorickshaw with visible injuries.

The violence against SFI activists has been documented in graphic detail on social media, with the federation’s official X account posting images of injured protesters, including Saji, who was allegedly kicked and beaten inside police vans. “Murder of democracy and human rights—SFI activists were kicked and beaten up inside mobile prisons,” read an SFI post. “Female comrades were harassed and assaulted by male police officers. They were beaten up, kicked and stomped on.

This is a complete violation of human rights. This is systemic terror at its finest.” Another video circulated by the CPI(M) depicts an unconscious SFI activist being transported in a police vehicle, further underscoring reports of excessive force.

The protests, now in their second day, stem from allegations of electoral fraud in the SIR process, which critics argue has been manipulated to suppress opposition votes. The CPI(M) and SFI have led demonstrations in Delhi, with participants demanding Kumar’s resignation and an independent investigation into the voter list discrepancies. Police responses have included mass detentions, with activists alleging that security personnel are targeting protesters with impunity.

The CRPF and Delhi Police have not issued a public statement on the incidents, though Brittas’ claims of assault and the visual evidence suggest a deliberate escalation in state repression.

For Malaysia and regional observers, the developments reflect broader concerns over democratic backsliding in India, where protests—particularly those led by left-wing and student groups—have increasingly faced violent suppression. The assault on a sitting MP raises questions about the Indian government’s commitment to parliamentary immunity and the rule of law, particularly as elections loom in key states.

Brittas’ vow to continue the struggle signals that the CPI(M) and SFI will not back down, potentially prolonging the standoff with authorities.

The immediate aftermath of the assault remains unclear, though Brittas’ injuries and the documented abuse of SFI activists suggest legal recourse may follow. The CPI(M) has not yet announced formal complaints, but the party’s public condemnation of the violence sets the stage for possible legal action or further protests.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police’s handling of the situation—particularly the alleged abandonment of Brittas—could exacerbate tensions, with opposition parties likely to amplify the incident as evidence of state overreach.

The story ends on the last substantive development: the CPI(M)’s circulation of video evidence and Brittas’ vow to persist in the struggle, leaving open the possibility of further escalation in the coming days.