Thiruvananthapuram: Tension escalated at Kerala University on Tuesday after members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest against Governor Rajendra Arlekar and the Vice Chancellor. The agitation was in response to the suspension of Registrar KS Anil Kumar following a recent controversy involving the Governor’s event at the Senate Hall.
The SFI, affiliated with the ruling CPM, took out a protest march to the university headquarters. Though police used water cannons in an attempt to stop them, the protesters broke through and entered the administrative block. Television channels have been airing visuals, showing the protestors trying to open doors and raising slogans near the Vice Chancellor’s office. Some even snatched batons from the police.
Despite a large police presence, dissenters reached close to the VC’s chamber. However, VC in-charge Ciza Thomas was not in her office at the time. Additional police forces were later deployed to manage the situation. According to local news reports, several activists were detained as the police tried to disperse the crowd. The Raj Bhavan has directed authorities to clear the protesters from the premises.
CPM state secretary MV Govindan arrived at the university and appealed to the SFI to continue their protest peacefully. He told reporters that the students of Kerala would not accept RSS influence in universities. The SFI claimed they were defending the state’s education system.
Meanwhile, protests were also reported from Kannur. The unrest follows Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal’s decision to suspend the registrar over alleged misconduct. The university syndicate had revoked the suspension, but the interim VC overruled the move and appointed Mini Kappan as acting registrar.
The standoff continues amid growing political tension over university governance in the state.