Published Oct 06, 2026 | 11:17 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 06, 2026 | 11:17 AM
The Central Library at the Central University of Kerala.
Tension prevailed on the Central University of Kerala (CUK) campus in Kasaragod on Tuesday as student organisations mounted protests against a national seminar marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, objecting to speakers and organisations they alleged were affiliated with the RSS.
The protest intensified after the programme brochure listed J Nandakumar, national convenor of Prajna Pravah, as the keynote speaker and the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad as a co-organiser.
The two-day seminar is scheduled at the university’s Library seminar hall on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is organised jointly by the Central University of Kerala, the Sahitya Akademi, and the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is expected to attend the valedictory session on Wednesday.
The SFI, NSUI, MSF, and AISF jointly staged protests, raising slogans such as “RSS Go Back” and declaring they would not permit the programme on campus. Protesting students blockaded the main gate and access points to the venue.
Students sought entry to the hall but were stopped by the police. Protesters alleged that students producing university ID cards were denied entry while ABVP members were allowed inside. Students said police told them that the Vice-Chancellor had instructed that students should not be permitted into the venue.
The student unions criticised the administration for organising a programme of such political and ideological sensitivity without consulting them.
The MSF questioned the involvement of Prajna Pravah and the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, describing them as organisations ideologically associated with the RSS.
The NSUI alleged the programme was part of an attempt to “saffronise” the university and announced a democratic protest.
The SFI also objected to what it termed an attempt to project a particular ideological or religious interpretation through the complete rendition of Vande Mataram.
The heightened protests have led to a heavy police deployment on the campus. Water cannons and strike forces have been stationed at the university as the seminar gets underway.
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(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
