SFI protest at Kerala University headquarters turns violent

The headquarters of Kerala University turned the epicentre of student protests yet again after the ongoing demonstration by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) against the alleged denial of allocated funds for the University Union Festival turned violent on Tuesday.

The activists clashed with the police as they attempted to storm the headquarters by breaching the barricades that were erected in front of the main gates.

As the agitation escalated, the police arrested two protesters including Union chairperson Ashwin S. Nair, triggering further protests. Activists blocked the police vehicle carrying him, following which the police used force to clear the protesters and allow the vehicle to move.

The Lok Bhavan reportedly intervened in the issue following an information from Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal. Subsequently, the State Police Chief was directed to remove the protesters from the campus.

The demonstration later spilled onto the streets, even as the police deployed water cannons to disperse the protesters. The SFI activists later conducted a protest march to the Cantonment police station.

The Vice-Chancellor has directed the Registrar to file a formal complaint with the police against the violent demonstration that purportedly caused damage of university property.

The SFI has been protesting against the denial of permission to conduct the festival, and the failure to provide travel allowance to student athletes.

Union dissolved

The confrontation appeared to escalate in the coming days after Prof. Kunnummal declared the existing University Union invalid and initiated the formation of the General Council for conducting fresh union elections.

With this move, the present union stands dissolved, though its term was scheduled to continue till February 28. The SFI alleged that the move is retaliatory in nature and aimed at suppressing student dissent. However, university officials claimed that the move follows established procedures.