The police resorted to a lathi-charge and arrested several protesters to clear the way for the VC’s convoy.
Published Nov 12, 2025 | 4:43 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2025 | 4:43 PM
University of Kerala.
Synopsis: The protest, led by SFI state president M. Sivaprasad, turned violent after activists squatted in front of the VC’s car, prompting police intervention.
Tension flared up at University of Kerala campus on Wednesday, 12 November, as SFI activists blocked Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal’s vehicle, demanding action against Dean Dr CN Vijayakumari, who has been accused of making casteist remarks against a research scholar.
The protest, led by SFI state president M. Sivaprasad, turned violent after activists squatted in front of the VC’s car, prompting police intervention.
The police resorted to a lathi-charge and arrested several protesters to clear the way for the VC’s convoy.
The protest erupted after the Senate meeting, during which Left syndicate members had also staged demonstrations demanding the dean’s dismissal.
Despite their objections, the VC refused to take an immediate decision.
Dr. Vijayakumari, head of the Sanskrit department and Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, has been booked under the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following a complaint by research scholar Vipin Vijayan.
In his complaint lodged with the Kazhakkootam Police, Vipin Vijayan — a researcher at the university’s Kariavattom campus — accused Dr. Vijayakumari, who also serves as the Dean of the Faculty, of repeatedly humiliating him based on caste and obstructing his academic progress.
Vipin alleged that Dr. Vijayakumari had told him that “Pulayans should not study Sanskrit” and that “the glory of the Sanskrit department has been destroyed with the arrival of Pulayan and Parayan students.”
Pulaya and Paraya are two scheduled castes.
He further stated that the professor abused him by saying, “No matter how hard you try, Sanskrit will not yield to low castes like you.”
Vipin also claimed that Dr. Vijayakumari was illegally attempting to block the awarding of his research degree, despite favorable recommendations from subject experts appointed by the Vice Chancellor.
Minister for Higher Education R. Bindu has sought a report from the VC on the incident.
