Kozhikode mosque clash triggers row over police action

A clash between rival factions at a mosque in Madakkara, near Vadakara, in Kozhikode has escalated into a political controversy following allegations of heavy-handed police action inside the place of worship.The confrontation erupted during Milad-un-Nabi celebrations on Monday (August 24, 2026) evening, stemming from a two-year-old feud regarding the appointment of the mosque’s current Khateeb (preacher).Opposing members had demanded his immediate removal, claiming he lacked authority to lead the congregation, while committee supporters insisted the service proceed. The dispute quickly degenerated into a physical altercation, prompting officers from the nearby Chombala police station to intervene.Newly surfaced video footage and statements from local political leaders have intensified the row, focussing on the nature of the police response.Leaders from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have strongly condemned the police force, accusing officers of disrespecting the sacred space and assaulting the believers.In a joint statement, IUML Kozhikode district president M.A. Razak MLA and general secretary T.T. Ismail alleged that armed officers “barged inside wearing boots without any major provocation, hurled abuses, and unleashed a lathi-charge on the faithful” as believers sat inside discussing religious programmes.Kuttiyadi legislator and IUML leader Parakkal Abdulla accused officers of walking across prayer mats with footwear on and physically assaulting worshippers. IUML leadership has demanded immediate disciplinary action against the officers involved, raising concerns over potential political motives behind the raid.However the police authorities have rejected allegations of intentional desecration, maintaining that officers acted solely to prevent a wider breach of the peace.Vadakara Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) K.K. Biju clarified that officers who initially entered the prayer hall had removed their footwear or worn socks. However, he noted that during the subsequent effort to disperse the crowd, some confusion may have arisen regarding footwear.Controlling the mob was a necessary measure taken by the police to prevent a far worse law-and-order issue, another senior officer said.Meanwhile, representatives from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] attributed the unrest to internal factionalism within local committee factions, claiming that law enforcement intervened appropriately to halt escalating violence between the groups.The authorities have confirmed that formal charges have been registered against four persons representing both factions involved in the brawl. They had been released on bail. Investigations are on, the police said.INL issues statementThe Indian National League (INL) State committee, in a statement issued on Thursday (August 27, 2026), alleged that an IUML leader’s audio message calling on youths in the area to confront opponents at the Madakkara mosque was evidence of the League’s involvement in the clash.The INL criticised the Chombala police for failing to act against those responsible for the incident despite the emergence of the audio message. It alleged that the police had entered the mosque wearing shoes and forcibly removed people, triggering public resentment.The INL national committee condemned the police action inside the mosque. INL national president Mohammad Suleman alleged that the police action was part of the IUML’s conspiracy as it lost control of the mosque due to corruption and maladministration.The committee urged the State government to order an impartial inquiry into the incident and initiate strict action against those responsible for the alleged police excess. Published - August 27, 2026 01:44 pm IST