Kerala university students protest over RSS-linked speaker at Vande Mataram seminar

Students at the Central University of Kerala in Kasaragod staged protests on Oct 6 against the participation of J Nandakumar, national convener of Prajna Pravah, at a two-day national seminar commemorating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

The seminar, being held on Oct 6 and 7, is organised by the Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad and the Central University of Kerala. Nandakumar is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the event.

Several student organisations participated in the protest, including the Kerala Students Union (KSU), Muslim Students Federation (MSF), Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students' Federation (AISF).

Students protest Nandakumar's participation

The protesting students said their objection was to Nandakumar's presence at the university event. Student groups had earlier questioned the participation of Nandakumar and the involvement of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, raising concerns about what they described as the introduction of a particular ideological agenda into the university.

The student organisations have maintained that their objection is not to commemorating Vande Mataram but to the choice of speaker and the involvement of organisations associated with the RSS.

Nandakumar is the national convener of Prajna Pravah, which is described in reports as an RSS-linked organisation.

Students allege denial of entry

The protest also centred on allegations that students who had registered for the seminar were not allowed to enter the venue.

A university official who identified himself as the Dean of Student Affairs told reporters that he was not aware why registered students were being denied entry and said he would need to check with the organisers.

Heavy police presence was reported at the venue, with protesting students prevented from entering the seminar hall. Students carrying flags of their respective organisations raised slogans against the RSS, and a push-and-pull confrontation took place between protesters and police as students attempted to enter the venue.

University had issued warning ahead of seminar

The developments followed a circular issued by the Central University of Kerala on Oct 5 concerning the disruption of the singing of Vande Mataram.

According to the circular, the amended Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act makes intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem or National Song, or causing disturbance to an assembly engaged in such singing, punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

The university also issued a separate notice restricting entry to the Dr BR Ambedkar Bhavan and the Administrative Block from Oct 6 to 8, between 9.30 am and 7 pm. Entry during the restricted period was limited to authorised officials, Selection Committee members and candidates, while others required prior permission from the Registrar or an authorised officer.

Seminar marks 150 years of Vande Mataram

The two-day seminar is part of the nationwide observance marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. It is being held at the university's Library Seminar Hall.

The programme includes the inaugural and valedictory sessions along with academic sessions involving scholars and writers. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to attend the valedictory ceremony on October 7 as chief guest, according to the university's social media post cited in reports.

The protest at the Central University of Kerala has therefore centred on Nandakumar's participation and the organisation of the seminar, while the university's warning ahead of the event has added another point of contention between the administration and protesting student groups.