SFI protests across universities against Governor, saffronisation in education
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links. In the wake of the recent Bharat Mata controversy, Kerala erupted in student protests on Tuesday, July 8, as the Student Federation of India (SFI) led coordinated demonstrations across three of the state’s major universities – University of Kerala, University of Calicut, and Kannur University. The protests targeted what the students describe as increasing attempts at saffronisation of the state's education system, as well as the role of the Governor in enabling these changes.The SFI, the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], organised the protests in response to what it called “an ideological invasion” of Kerala’s higher education sector. Speaking to the media, SFI leaders clarified that their protest is not a personal attack on the Governor or the Vice Chancellors, but a stand against what they see as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) growing influence in academic institutions.“This protest is not SFI vs the Governor or SFI vs the Vice Chancellor. It is against the saffronisation agenda of the RSS in Kerala’s general and higher education. They are trying to destroy our values, our nation, our Constitution, and our independence. We will continue this protest with full force,” said M Sivaprasad, SFI’s state president, speaking from the University of Kerala campus.Clashes broke out on the Kerala University premises, where police deployed water cannons and used lathis to disperse protesters. However, students regrouped and continued their agitation, spreading it to administrative offices across the campus. Several leaders, including SFI’s state secretary, were arrested during the crackdown.CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan visited the protest site to express solidarity with the students. “The police have arrested the SFI secretary and several other leaders. SFI has made it clear the protests will continue. The Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor must function democratically. If they choose to impose their will, Kerala will resist,” he said.Simultaneously, SFI activists launched parallel demonstrations at the University of Calicut and Kannur University. In Kannur, students held aloft a banner reading, “The Constitution is above all.” In Calicut, protesters marched to the Vice Chancellor’s office and later to the VC’s residence, raising slogans against both the Governor and university leadership.These protests are part of a broader resistance by student groups and left-aligned organisations in Kerala to what they see as the National Education Policy (NEP) and other Union government initiatives that, according to them, aim to align education with a right-wing ideology. ‘Danger to the nation’: CM Pinarayi Vijayan reiterates opposition to NEP
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
IN the wake of the recent Bharat Mata controversy, Kerala erupted in student protests on Tuesday, July 8, as the Student Federation of India (SFI) led coordinated demonstrations across three of the state’s major universities – University of Kerala, University of Calicut and Kannur University.
The protests targeted what the students describe as increasing attempts at saffronisation of the state's education system, as well as the role of the Governor in enabling these changes.
The SFI, the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], organised the protests in response to what it called “an ideological invasion” of Kerala’s higher education sector.
Speaking to the media, SFI leaders clarified that their protest is not a personal attack on the Governor or the Vice Chancellors, but a stand against what they see as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) growing influence in academic institutions.
“This protest is not SFI vs the Governor or SFI vs the Vice Chancellor. It is against the saffronisation agenda of the RSS in Kerala’s general and higher education. They are trying to destroy our values, our nation, our Constitution, and our independence. We will continue this protest with full force,” said M Sivaprasad, SFI’s state president, speaking from the University of Kerala campus.
Clashes broke out on the Kerala University premises, where police deployed water cannons and used lathis to disperse protesters. However, students regrouped and continued their agitation, spreading it to administrative offices across the campus. Several leaders, including SFI’s state secretary, were arrested during the crackdown.
CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan visited the protest site to express solidarity with the students. “The police have arrested the SFI secretary and several other leaders. SFI has made it clear the protests will continue. The Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor must function democratically. If they choose to impose their will, Kerala will resist,” he said.
Simultaneously, SFI activists launched parallel demonstrations at the University of Calicut and Kannur University. In Kannur, students held aloft a banner reading, “The Constitution is above all.” In Calicut, protesters marched to the Vice Chancellor’s office and later to the VC’s residence, raising slogans against both the Governor and university leadership.
These protests are part of a broader resistance by student groups and left-aligned organisations in Kerala to what they see as the National Education Policy (NEP) and other Union government initiatives that, according to them, aim to align education with a right-wing ideology.
