Anti-drug rally in Kannur draws huge crowd

Thousands of people joined the Proud Kerala’s Walk Against Drugs, a marathon led by Ramesh Chennithala, in Kannur on Friday (September 19, 2025).

People from all walks of life, including cultural figures, students, women and public workers, gathered in large number since morning, making it a people’s movement against narcotics.

Kannur Bishop Alex Vadakumthala, who flagged off the walk, said Kerala must unite against drug addiction that is destroying the young generation.

“The creative potential of a generation is being destroyed due to this addiction. The fight against drugs must begin from every home,” Mr. Chennithala said. The closing ceremony was inaugurated by writer T. Padmanabhan with Proud Kerala Chairman Malayinkeezha Venugopal presiding.

People’s uprising

Mr. Chennithala declared that the walk represented a people’s uprising against drug addiction. “This struggle will not end until drug addiction is completely uprooted. This chemical addiction cannot be eradicated without public participation. In a situation where government systems fail, popular resistance is essential,” he said before administering an anti-drug pledge to the participants.

The Kannur event marked the ninth walkathon in the campaign, which started in Kozhikode and has already passed through Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kasaragod, Malappuram and Thrissur. The tenth walkathon will be held in Wayanad at 3:30 p.m.

Prominent religious and social leaders joined the event, including Swami Amrita Kripanandapuri, Noushad Sakkafi Madakkara, DCC president Martin George, IUML District President Abdul Karim Cheleri, MLA Sajeev Joseph and others.