UNDER the banner of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), lakhs of people from all walks of life participated in a massive human chain protest on January 20, against the union government's hostile attitude towards the state of Kerala. Although the formation of the human chain was initially planned, the overwhelming mobilisation of people resulted in the creation of an extensive human fortress stretching over 651 kilometres, from Kasargode railway station at the northern end of the state to the Rajbhavan in Thiruvananthapuram in the south.

This mobilisation has left an indelible mark in the state's history, with a huge turnout and a collective expression of wrath against the hostility of the Modi-led central government. M V Govindan, CPI(M) state secretary, inaugurated the massive meeting held just before the formation of the human chain and the oath-taking programme. A A Rahim, DYFI all India president and member of parliament, inaugurated the meeting in front of Kasargode railway station.

CPI (M) Central Committee member E P Jayarajan, who served as DYFI’s first all India president, stood at the end of the human chain near Rajbhavan. A trial human chain was formed at 4:30 in the evening, led by DYFI’s national and state leaders in various district headquarters. At exactly 5 pm, the entire chain, without a single break, took the oath to launch a massive protest against the central government’s negligence towards the state.

The human chain was organised with the slogan 'Do we need to tolerate this centre’s neglect?' This mobilisation highlighted the grievances of railway passengers, the central government's recruitment ban, and its financial sanctions against Kerala. More than 10 lakh youth, along with people from all walks of life, including workers, farmers, agricultural workers, cultural leaders, and activists of student organisations, became part of this extensive human chain.