Students protest RSS leader’s presence at Kerala varsity event
3 injured in clashes as resentment against Hindutva grows
New Delhi: Students at Central University of Kerala (CUK) staged strong protests against the participation of RSS-linked leader J. Nandakumar at a seminar, reflecting growing resentment against the ruling right-wing’s attempts to saffronise educational institutions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, student organisations including Muslim Students Federation (MSF) jointly opposed the national seminar marking 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, organised in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad and the university at the library seminar hall.
The protest continued for nearly three hours with students raising slogans against RSS and demanding that Nandakumar, national convener of an RSS-linked organisation, not be allowed to address the gathering.
“Every university in Kerala is rejecting this programme because of its connection to the RSS,” said SFI CUK unit president Niyathithara A.L. SFI had declared it would physically block Nandakumar from entering, while NSUI termed the seminar part of a broader effort to “saffronise” the institution.
The demonstration escalated into physical confrontation as protesting students attempted to force entry into the venue, engaging in push-and-pull with police. Three persons were injured in the clash. Students alleged they were denied entry despite prior registration, a claim even the Dean of Student Affairs said he was unaware of.
Inside, Nandakumar reportedly used his address to criticise India’s post-1947 political leadership while students continued protest outside. The university has not issued formal statement on entry restrictions or injuries.
The incident marks yet another instance of student resistance against RSS presence in public universities, coming just a day after Hindutva mob attacks on SRFTI Kolkata left students hospitalized.
