The Welfare Party of India (WPI) has called the proposal to split Malappuram district a fair demand. Malappuram has about 4.8 million people. K.V. Safeersha, WPI district president, said more districts are needed for the area's full growth. He spoke during a march to the District Medical Office on January 3, 2026. The protest targeted alleged government bias in appointing doctors to government hospitals in Malappuram. Out of 202 specialist doctors appointed across the state, only four went to Malappuram. "The government continues this discrimination towards Malappuram in all spheres," Mr. Safeersha said. He warned that locals might not accept such bias forever and that they have the political power to oppose leaders driven by bias. Welfare Party leaders Muneeb Karakkunnu, Arif Chundayil, and trade union leader Khader Angadipuram also spoke at the event.