Students turn Madurai Collectorate road into sports field in novel protest against land encroachment

In a novel protest, students and youths from the Karadipatti and Melakuyilkudi here on Tuesday transformed the road in front of the Madurai District Collector’s office into a makeshift sports arena.

They were demanding the removal of land encroachments to make way for a permanent playground.

Organised by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), a large number of children and young athletes engaged in various sports on the street. To highlight their lack of facilities, the protesters played cricket, kabaddi, and hide-and-seek and performed traditional arts like Silambam and spinning tops (Pambaram) as part of their sit-in demonstration.

The villagers alleged that government land in Karadipatti Adisivan Nagar and Melakuyilkudi, which was traditionally used by local children as a play area, is being encroached upon by private individuals. They further claimed that revenue officials have been indifferent to the issue, with some allegedly facilitating the illegal sale of government land.

DYFI district secretary Tamilarasan stated, “We previously met with the Tahsildar concerned to demand that these encroached area be officially designated as playground. However, the response we received was dismissive and negligent. Left with no choice, we have brought our games to the Collector’s doorstep to show the administration exactly what the youth are losing to encroachers.”

The protesters raised slogans urging the district administration to intervene immediately, clear the illegal occupations and secure the land for the future of rural athletes.