Students denied entry despite pleading; Protest against 'Priyadarshini' suspected

THRISSUR: A private bus conductor allegedly refused to allow several school students to board a bus at the Wadakkancherry bus stand in Thrissur. The video of the incident has been widely circulated on social media.

The video shows a group of school students waiting in line near the bus. However, the conductor allowed only three students to board the bus and refused entry to the remaining five.

Meanwhile, the video shows two students from another school entering the bus, while those who had been waiting earlier were denied entry. A student is seen pleading with folded hands, but the conductor stood firm in his stand and refused to let them board the bus. The students were later seen standing helplessly.

The incident comes amid concerns raised by private bus operators following the launch of the state's Priyadarshini free travel for women on KSRTC ordinary buses. Private bus owners have claimed that the scheme is causing financial difficulties for them.

It is suspected that denying entry may have been part of a protest against the scheme. Since only some students were denied entry, questions have also been raised about whether any prior dispute or other reason was involved.