The North Gate of the Kerala Secretariat, one of its main entry points and widely recognized as the 'protest gate,' was reopened on Tuesday after remaining closed for nearly a decade. The gate was opened by Congress-backed organizations within the Secretariat after they removed the police barricades that had been installed there.
Background of the Closure
The gate largely remained closed during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration, with authorities citing security concerns. Shortly after its reopening, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan exited the Secretariat through the North Gate. The gate had briefly been open after the first government led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assumed office in 2016, but it was subsequently closed again for security reasons.
Symbolism of the Reopening
Functionaries of Congress-affiliated organizations stated that reopening the gate represented the restoration of public access and a more open style of governance following the change in administration. M. S. Ershad of the Kerala Secretariat Association said the move symbolized the 'return of freedom' to the people of Kerala after the swearing-in of the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government. The leaders alleged that the earlier restrictions had effectively turned the Secretariat into a 'fortress,' limiting public access to authorities. They emphasized that the new government would adopt a more people-friendly and accessible approach to governance.
Public Access Details
According to the leaders, members of the public will be allowed entry through the North Gate after 3:00 PM every day. This move is seen as a step towards greater transparency and public engagement in the functioning of the state government.
