Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode/Kannur, Kerala: Protests organized by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) against alleged attempts by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan to ‘saffronise’ universities escalated into clashes with police across multiple university campuses in the state on Tuesday. Demonstrations at Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi (MG), Calicut, and Kannur Universities witnessed significant confrontations.
Kerala University:
At Kerala University in Thiruvananthapuram, SFI activists breached police barricades and stormed the university’s administrative building. A prolonged standoff ensued at the main entrance as police attempted to prevent the protestors from entering. The activists demanded access to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, refusing to be placated by police. In a dramatic turn, some protestors gained entry by climbing through open windows and scaling a low wall. They then gathered in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office, chanting slogans. Clashes erupted between police and the activists, leading to police forcibly arresting and removing SFI members from the building. The protestors, undeterred, continued their demonstration outside.
Amidst the escalating tension, CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan arrived at the scene. He addressed the activists, affirming that the SFI agitation would continue forcefully. After the immediate tension subsided, SFI State President M. Sivaprasad addressed the gathering. He sharply criticized Governor Khan, alleging that he was “crawling before the RSS” and that Vice-Chancellors’ salaries were not paid with money “brought from Goa by ‘Aaleckar’ (a derogatory reference implying external, possibly illicit, funding).” Sivaprasad reiterated the demand for the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation and declared that the SFI’s struggle would intensify. Following his address, the protest for the day was called off, and activists dispersed
MG University:
Similar scenes unfolded at MG University in Kottayam, where an SFI march also turned confrontational. Despite police erecting barricades, activists toppled them and advanced. They scaled walls and jumped over gates to reach the front of the administrative block. While they attempted to enter the building, police successfully blocked their access.
Calicut University:
At Calicut University, SFI protestors stormed the official residence of the Vice-Chancellor during their demonstration. Activists scaled the boundary wall of the bungalow, entered the premises, and chanted slogans while staging a sit-in in front of the residence.
Kannur University:
The SFI march at Kannur University also devolved into clashes. Police used water cannons against the protestors. However, activists managed to jump over the main gate and reach the building housing the Vice-Chancellor’s office. They proceeded to damage window panes and doors of the building. Police then forcibly arrested and removed the protestors, leading to heated arguments between the two sides.
The widespread protests underscore the growing political tension in Kerala over the administration of its universities, with the SFI accusing the Governor of pursuing a political agenda to influence academic institutions.
