Why Did SFI Activists Storm Four Universities in Kerala?
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Synopsis
On July 8, in an unprecedented move, SFI activists stormed four universities in Kerala to oppose Governor Arlekar's perceived RSS agenda. This bold protest has sparked significant tensions between the CPI-M and the Governor, promising a tumultuous political landscape ahead.
Key Takeaways
- SFI protests against perceived RSS influence in education.
- Significant police presence noted at four universities.
- State CPI-M Secretary engaged to calm tensions.
- Protesters warned Vice-Chancellors against compliance with Governor.
- Future confrontations anticipated between CPI-M and Governor Arlekar.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 8 (NationPress) Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), which represents the CPI-M, took bold steps on Tuesday by forcefully entering four universities in Kerala.
The SFI's protests were previously announced and targeted against the state's Chancellor and Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, who is perceived to be promoting an agenda aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) within the universities.
As tensions escalated at the Kerala University headquarters, M.V. Govindan, the State CPI-M Secretary, intervened to communicate with the protesting SFI leaders.
He urged them to remain calm and later told reporters, "We will not permit the Governor to impose his RSS ideology on our universities; this will be met with strong opposition and protests," before leaving the scene.
The protests targeted the Kerala, Kannur, M.G. Kottayam, and Kozhikode Universities.
On that Tuesday morning, a significant police presence was evident at all four locations.
As the protests unfolded, numerous students, both male and female, began chanting slogans. In an unusual turn of events, instead of blocking the students from entering the campus, the police displayed a lack of action, allowing the students to enter freely.
At Kannur, police attempted to disperse the SFI protesters using water cannons, but the protesters managed to break open the main gate and enter the campus.
The headquarters of Kerala University, situated near the 140-member Kerala Assembly Legislative quarters, witnessed unprecedented chaos.
The protesters gained access to the building, moving about freely while police merely observed.
After about 90 minutes, police made attempts to persuade the protesters to leave, but when this proved ineffective, they began to chase the unruly students.
It was during this time that Govindan arrived, helping to de-escalate the situation at the Kerala University campus.
The SFI leadership issued a warning to the universities' Vice-Chancellors, indicating that any compliance with the Governor's directives would lead to significant consequences.
"Our day's protest is concluding, but we will return on Thursday to march towards the Governor's official residence. We will not allow him or the Vice-Chancellor to proceed with the RSS agenda," asserted SFI leader Sivaprasad.
Despite the chaos, police managed to detain some protesters, escorting them away in police vehicles.
With Govindan's clarifications, it is clear that a fierce confrontation between the CPI-M and Governor Arlekar is imminent.
Point of View
The actions of the SFI in Kerala represent a significant moment in the ongoing struggle between state governance and ideological influence. The protests raise critical questions about academic independence and the potential impact of political affiliations on education.
NationPress
14/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the SFI protests in Kerala?
The SFI protests were triggered by perceived attempts from Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar to impose an RSS ideology on state universities.
How did the police respond to the protests?
The police displayed laxity initially, allowing students to enter campuses, but later attempted to disperse protesters using water cannons.
What are the implications of these protests?
These protests indicate a deepening conflict between CPI-M and the state Governor, raising concerns about the influence of political ideologies in education.
