Kerala to withdraw cases against CAA, Sabarimala protesters

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala cabinet has decided to withdraw cases filed against protesters who opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) last year and women's entry to Sabarimala.

The cabinet that met in the capital on Wednesday decided to withdraw such cases as do not have serious criminal nature such as attacking the police or damaging government property.

As per reports, 90 per cent of the cases registered in different districts are not of serious nature.  Among these,  most accused have obtained bail.

The Nair Service Society (NSS) had earlier demanded withdrawal of the Sabarimala cases. As for the cases registered against anti-CAA protesters, several political parties including the Muslim League have been clamouring for it.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala reacted that the decision to withdraw cases was belated wisdom.

Last week, Tamil Nadu had decided to withdraw about 1500 police cases which were registered against those who protested the CAA.  The withdrawal decision had attracted particular attention as the ruling front led by the AIADMK was allied with the BJP, the ruling party at the Centre,  which is the champion of, and blamed for the very enactment of the citizenship law.