The recent arrest of Kerala Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkoottathil on January 9, 2024, following his participation in a protest march in December 2023, has sparked widespread concern. Rahul was apprehended from his residence and subsequently remanded for 14 days in judicial custody by the Thiruvananthapuram Session court, which denied his bail application. The incident, extensively covered in the media, reflects a broader pattern of crackdowns on dissenting voices, exemplified by the subsequent police actions against protestors and leaders associated with the Youth Congress.

In response to Rahul's arrest, Kerala Youth Congress members organized marches and demonstrations across various locations, including the Kerala Secretariat and collectorate offices. However, these peaceful protests were met with disproportionate force by law enforcement, including the use of water cannons and lathi charges, resulting in injuries to several activists. Moreover, cases have been registered against Youth Congress leaders and protestors under alleged fabricated charges, raising serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights. In light of these developments, HRDA appeal for the National Human Rights Commission to invoke Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019, and initiate an impartial inquiry into the incident as part of suo moto action.