Kerala University: Police Action After SFI Protest Over ‘Saffronisation’ Claims

Police have registered a case against 27 SFI activists, including state secretary P.S. Sanjeev, in connection with a protest at Kerala University. The protestors are accused of causing damage, illegally entering the campus, and assaulting university staff and police officers. Approximately 1,000 other protestors have also been identified. The charges include non-bailable offenses. The demonstration was in opposition to Governor Rajendra Arlekar and what the SFI perceived as the ‘saffronisation’ of the university. The protest involved breaking open the university gate, leading to confrontations with the police who then took the activists into custody. The SFI’s grievances also encompassed the use of a ‘Bharat Mata’ image in a university event and the suspension of the Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, with Dr. Ciza Thomas being appointed as the interim Vice Chancellor.