# Street fight: BJP and CPI(M) clash over Thiruvananthapuram's cultural corridor

> A cultural street in Kerala's capital becomes a battleground as the BJP-led Corporation tries to ban protests and limit activities to culture only.
- Title: Street fight: BJP and CPI(M) clash over Thiruvananthapuram's…
- Summary: A cultural street in Kerala's capital becomes a battleground as the BJP-led Corporation tries to ban protests and limit activities to culture only.
- Keywords: manaveeyam veedhi, thiruvananthapuram, bharatiya janata party, communist party of india marxist, cultural corridor, protests, municipal corporation, The Hindu
- Source: The Hindu — https://thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/why-manaveeyam-veedhi-is-at-the-centre-of-a-political-battle-between-bjp-cpim-in-keralam-capital/article71670739.ece
- Author: S.R. Praveen
- Published: 2026-11-06T06:11:14+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: manaveeyam veedhi, thiruvananthapuram, bharatiya janata party, communist party of india marxist, cultural corridor, protests, municipal corporation, news, politics
## Cultural street becomes political battleground
Manaveeyam Veedhi, Thiruvananthapuram's cultural corridor, is caught in a political battle between the BJP and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over its use and control.
## BJP Corporation took power last December
The BJP took control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in local body elections last December and is now attempting to bring changes to the street.
## Three decades of cultural and protest events
Manaveeyam Veedhi has hosted various cultural events and protest programmes for the past three decades, serving as a space for both artistic expression and political dissent.
## Police seize microphone at October protest
On October 16, Museum Police attempted to seize a microphone ahead of a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, featuring actor-activist Prakash Raj.
## Corporation declares street must be protest-free
Last week, the BJP-led Corporation made clear its intent to make the street protest-free and to keep it limited to cultural activities, sparking immediate opposition.
## CPI(M) says street is under Public Works
Former Mayor V. Sivankutty says Manaveeyam Veedhi is a road under the Public Works department and its management rights have never been transferred to the Corporation.

> Manaveeyam Veedhi is a road under the Public Works department and its management rights have never been transferred to the Municipal Corporation.
## Artists call move an overreach of authority
K.G. Suraj, secretary of the Manaveeyam Theruvidam Cultural Collective, says the Corporation's move to render the space protest-free is an encroachment upon artists' freedom of thought and expression.

> The Corporation's move to render the space 'protest-free' by eliminating expressions of dissent is an encroachment upon the artists' freedom of thought and expression.
## Congress backs democratic use of street
Congress councillor K.S. Sabarinadhan says the Corporation must preserve Manaveeyam as a space upholding all democratic rights, and banning protests is an anti-democratic measure.

> Taking the stance that protests are impermissible within this cultural space is an anti-democratic measure.
## Corporation to frame bylaw after stakeholder talks
According to the Mayor's office, the Corporation will frame a bylaw for Manaveeyam Veedhi after discussions with various stakeholders, leaving the street's future status uncertain.
## Key takeaway

The BJP-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is attempting to make Manaveeyam Veedhi protest-free and limit it to cultural activities, sparking opposition from CPI(M) leaders and cultural activists who say the street has hosted both for three decades.