Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Kerala University Students Protest Seminar; Case Filed, Five Suspended
Students protested at the Central University of Kerala during a seminar about Vande Mataram.
They objected to J Nandakumar being a speaker because they described him as linked to the RSS.
They also said some people who had registered were not allowed into the event.
A university official said he did not know why people were turned away and would ask the organisers.
Police and protesters pushed against each other, and one report said four students were hurt.
Police later filed a case against 25 students whose identities were not yet known.
The university also suspended five students for two weeks and stopped them from entering campus.
Student groups then protested and asked the university to cancel the suspensions.
Reports differ on the incident’s date: some place the protest on Tuesday, October 6, while the police account in the case report says Wednesday at 1:30 pm.
Student groups protested J Nandakumar’s participation in a seminar marking Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary, saying some registered attendees were denied entry.
The seminar was organised by the Central University of Kerala, Sahitya Akademi and Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad on October 6 and 7.
Reports describe police and students pushing and shoving; one report said four students were injured and some SFI leaders were taken away.
Police registered a case against 25 unidentified students, citing alleged unlawful assembly, disobedience of a lawful order and rioting.
The university suspended five student activists for two weeks and barred them from campus; student groups protested and demanded that the order be withdrawn.
- Who
- Student groups including SFI, AISF, KSU and MSF protested; J Nandakumar was a scheduled speaker. Police registered a case against 25 unidentified students, and the university suspended five activists.
- What
- Students protested Nandakumar’s participation and alleged that registered attendees were denied entry; police filed a case and the university suspended five students.
- When
- The seminar was held on October 6 and 7. Reports place the protest on Tuesday, October 6, while the FIR account says Wednesday at 1:30 pm; the case and suspensions were reported on October 8.
- Where
- Central University of Kerala, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala.
- Why
- Protesters opposed Nandakumar’s participation and alleged restrictions on entry. Police said the case concerned alleged assembly, disobedience of an order and disruption; the university said the suspended students’ conduct disrupted proceedings and breached expected standards.
Student protesters’ claims
University and police accounts
Nandakumar’s participation
Student protesters’ claims
Student groups opposed his presence and some described the seminar as an attempt to advance an RSS agenda on campus.
University and police accounts
Nandakumar was scheduled to speak at the Vande Mataram anniversary seminar; the reports provide no direct response from him to the objections.
Access to the seminar
Student protesters’ claims
Students alleged that registered attendees and student representatives were denied entry.
University and police accounts
A university official said he did not know why registered students were turned away and would ask the organisers.
Police case and suspensions
Student protesters’ claims
Student groups demanded that the suspensions be withdrawn and alleged they were issued by the same person they had previously protested against.
University and police accounts
Police said the case concerned alleged unlawful assembly, disobedience of a lawful order and rioting. The university said the five students’ conduct disrupted the session and was inconsistent with expected standards of discipline.
- Seminar
- Two-day national seminar marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram
- Dates
- October 6 and 7; the reports do not specify the year
- Scheduled speaker
- J Nandakumar, national convener of Prajna Pravah
- Organisers
- Sahitya Akademi, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad and the Central University of Kerala
- Police case
- Filed against 25 students who police said were yet to be identified; the alleged offences included unlawful assembly, disobedience of a lawful order and rioting
- University action
- Five activists were suspended for two weeks and barred from entering campus
- Reported injuries
- One report said four students were injured during police action
- Investigation
- Police said they were examining campus CCTV footage
Sources
Students protest RSS leader’s presence at Vande Mataram event in Central University of Kerala
Case registered against students over protest at Central University of Kerala
Students Protest RSS Leader's Presence at Vande Mataram Event in Central University of Kerala
Massive Protests By Students At Central University Kasaragod Against Participation Of RSS Ideologue In Vande Mataram Seminar