Vande Mataram row: Clash erupts at Central University of Kerala during SFI-led protest; police use water cannon

A clash broke out at the Central University of Kerala (CUK) on Friday during a march led by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) over a controversial Vande Mataram seminar and the subsequent suspension of students.

The police used water cannons to disperse protesters attempting to breach barricades, triggering violent confrontations between police personnel and students. The protesters remain determined to continue their agitation, while heavy police security has been deployed across the campus.

The latest unrest follows protests against a two-day seminar held at the university recently and the disciplinary action taken against students in its aftermath. The seminar, organised at the university library hall in collaboration with the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, drew opposition from student organisations, including the SFI, the Muslim Students Federation and the All India Students Federation.

The organisations alleged that the seminar was part of an attempt to implement the Sangh Parivar’s agenda on the campus.

Tensions escalated when the Governor arrived to attend the programme. Protesters raised slogans, rushed towards the venue and attempted to disrupt the seminar.

Citing the disruption of an official university event, the university suspended several students, including the SFI unit secretary, and evicted them from their hostel accommodation. The police also registered a case against 25 students, further fuelling tensions on the campus.