Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – Clashes broke out recently at Kerala University’s senate campus. Activists from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) protested against Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal , leading to confrontations with police. Protesters accused Kunnummal of promoting a “Sangh Parivar agenda” and demanded a permanent vice chancellor.
The SFI organized a protest march towards the university’s main headquarters. Police personnel used barricades to block the campus’s primary entrance. Despite these barriers, demonstrators successfully entered the university grounds by scaling walls. Law enforcement responded by deploying water cannons multiple times to disperse the protesting SFI members.
Following a university syndicate meeting, Vice Chancellor Kunnummal attempted to leave the campus. A large contingent of SFI activists immediately blocked his vehicle. They raised slogans expressing their opposition. Police officers made repeated attempts to clear a path for the Vice Chancellor’s car, but faced strong resistance from the agitators.
After being obstructed at several points, the Vice Chancellor’s car eventually departed the campus. It left under the protection of a police escort. This incident marked a peak in the day’s tensions, demonstrating the intensity of the student demands.
Protest Demands and Allegations
SFI district leaders later addressed reporters. They confirmed the protest was part of an ongoing series of actions against Vice Chancellor Kunnummal. Their central accusation is that Kunnummal, currently serving as an interim Vice Chancellor, is attempting to implement a “Sangh Parivar agenda” within the university system.
The term “Sangh Parivar agenda” refers to the alleged promotion of ideologies associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) . The RSS is a prominent Hindu nationalist organization in India. SFI argues that such an agenda compromises the university’s secular and academic independence. They insist on the appointment of a stable, permanent vice chancellor to ensure the university’s neutrality and proper functioning.
Controversy Over Dean’s Remarks
Simultaneously, Left syndicate members within Kerala University staged their own protest inside the campus. Their demand focused on taking strong action against the Dean of the Sanskrit Department. This Dean is embroiled in controversy over alleged casteist remarks.
The allegations state that the Dean made discriminatory comments against a research scholar. This incident reportedly occurred when the Dean refused to sign the scholar’s thesis, a crucial step for academic progression. Such remarks are a serious violation of academic and social equity standards.
Police in Sreekaryam have officially registered a case against the implicated individual, C.N. Vijayakumari . She holds the positions of Head of the Sanskrit Department and Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the university’s Kariavattom campus. The registration of a police case indicates a formal investigation is underway into the allegations of caste-based discrimination.
Ongoing University Unrest
The twin protests underscore a period of significant unrest at Kerala University. Students and faculty are vocal in their demands for administrative accountability. They also seek resolution on issues concerning alleged political influence and social discrimination within the academic environment. The ongoing agitations suggest further developments may occur as both sets of demands remain unresolved.