Thiruvananthapuram witnessed disturbing scenes on July 9 as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), stormed Kerala University’s headquarters, resulting in chaos, violence, and the complete paralysis of administrative functioning. The protest was triggered by the suspension of Registrar Dr. Anil Kumar over his disrespect and insult of Kerala Governor and Chancellor Rajendra Arlekar, and further fuelled by disputes over a Bharat Mata picture on campus.
The agitation, which escalated sharply by noon, saw the university building being taken over in a manner likened to the Taliban’s seizure of Kabul in 2021. SFI activists, in large numbers, surrounded the headquarters in the morning and forcefully breached the premises, bypassing police security. Slogans against the Governor and RSS reverberated across the campus as protesters stormed the Senate Hall and administrative blocks.
https://twitter.com/satyaagrahindia/status/1942533228679815358
In a stunning breakdown of law and order, the police stood by as silent spectators. Activists climbed through windows and opened doors to allow others to enter the building, effectively taking control of the premises of Vice Chancellor’s chamber. Despite their presence, senior police officials failed to stop the group from ransacking the premises and taking over offices, even as employees and others inside were held captive.
The VC was absent at the time, and the suspended Registrar Anil Kumar, whose actions had initially led to this crisis, was seen inside the university. The protesters’ actions brought university operations to a halt, with scenes of sloganeering and chaos dominating the day. Office work was completely paralysed. The police eventually began removing activists, loading them into buses, but only after the violence had run its course.
The unrest wasn’t limited to Thiruvananthapuram. SFI staged similar protests at Calicut and Kannur Universities, both of which ended in violence. At Kannur University, the protest march was met with barricades, but activists refused to retreat, prompting police to deploy water cannons. At Calicut University too, lathicharge and water cannons had to be used to disperse the crowd.
Kerala Hindu Population is reducing every year and now it’s is only 55%
This leftist mindset is curse
Look at the way SFI members protesting against the Governor alleging saffronisation of universities, inside Kerala University
😈😈😈 pic.twitter.com/BnCcQ72JJV
— Sheetal Chopra 🇮🇳 (@SheetalPronamo) July 8, 2025
The widespread protests come amid a string of controversies that have rocked the ruling CPI(M)-led government. The most prominent is the collapse of a medical college building in Kottayam district, which led to the tragic death of a woman named Bindu. The incident sparked massive outrage and calls for the resignation of the health minister Veena George, not only from opposition parties but also from sections within CPI(M). The state is also dealing with reports of Nipah virus resurfacing in Kozhikode district, further straining the government’s credibility.
Adding to the discontent, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for medical treatment in the United States during this period of crisis, a move that has drawn sharp criticism. Against this backdrop, the SFI’s aggressive mobilisation and the CPI(M)’s subsequent intervention have raised serious concerns about political motives. There is a strong allegation that the protests were engineered to divert public attention from the government’s failings and to intensify the ongoing standoff with the Governor.
The climax of Tuesday’s events came with the arrival of CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary M.V. Govindan at the university headquarters, effectively ending the protest. His presence further confirmed the ruling party’s backing of the agitation. Despite the absence of any syndicate members or university leadership during the chaos, the suspended Registrar was conspicuously present, raising further questions about coordination and planning.
Tuesday’s events have sent shockwaves across Kerala, with many pointing to the failure of law enforcement and the complete collapse of university autonomy. The violent protest, lack of police action, and overt political backing have raised fears of institutional breakdown, with many warning that the state could be heading towards a state of emergency if such unrest continues.
