Kozhikode Corporation sparked tension by first stopping and then permitting the New Year programme at a convention centre near Sarovaram Biopark. On December 30, 2025, the Corporation secretary issued a stop memo to the centre's management after a complaint by Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi. The Samithi alleged the building was unauthorised and organisers lacked a PPR licence under Kerala Places of Public Resort Rules (1965). The memo said the management had not informed the Corporation, and the event was subject to entertainment tax. The Samithi warned of strong protests if the programme went ahead in violation of the stop memo. However, the management later obtained a PPR licence just hours before the programme started, making the memo null and void. Samithi president Ajay Lal K. said, "The Corporation should not have issued the licence considering that the building was unauthorised, and that it was constructed on a wetland fill. The convention centre management is fooling the authorities claiming that the Kerala High Court had allowed it to conduct programmes. However, it is far from reality." Kozhikode Corporation secretary K.U. Bini said the civic body had no right to deny the licence since the building had clearances from Fire and Rescue Services and the State Pollution Control Board. She added, "The programme was being held within a closed space and was technically no disturbance to the public, which were grounds enough to issue licence." Ajay Lal said the Samithi will update the High Court on these developments at the next hearing on January 5.