Kerala university protest turns tense as police use water cannons against SFI demonstrators

A protest by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) against the suspension of five students at the Central University of Kerala turned tense on Oct 9, prompting police to use water cannons to disperse demonstrators at Periya.

The university suspended the five students for two weeks on Oct 8 over their participation in a protest during a two-day seminar marking the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, held on campus on Oct 6 and 7.

The students had opposed the organization of the seminar and the presence of J Nandakumar, national convener of an organization linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They also alleged that several students who had registered for the event were denied entry.

Police registered a case against 25 student leaders in connection with the incident. The university subsequently suspended five students for two weeks.

Those suspended include SFI activists Sayed Ali S and Aved V B, Muslim Students Federation (MSF) activists Shabeer and Taqiyuddin, and Kerala Students Union (KSU) activist Mohammed Yasin.

On Oct 9, SFI activists marched from Periya town toward the university campus, raising slogans against the suspensions and demanding that the disciplinary action be withdrawn.

Police had erected barricades to prevent the protesters from reaching the administrative block.

When some demonstrators allegedly tried to climb over and pull down the barricades, police used water cannons to disperse the crowd, officials said.

Protesters continued their demonstration and demanded the reinstatement of the five students.

Protests have also taken place within the university campus over the suspensions. A large police contingent has been deployed in the area as authorities anticipate further demonstrations.