Kasaragod: Tensions escalated on Tuesday (October 6) at the Central University of Kerala (CUK) as student activists staged demonstrations against a two-day national seminar commemorating the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram.

Campus security and police engaged in a push-and-pull confrontation with student members from the NSUI, SFI, MSF, and AISA, who gathered outside the Library seminar hall shouting "RSS go back" slogans. The immediate trigger for the protest is the inclusion of key speakers and co-organisers whom student bodies describe as ideologically aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Particular objection was raised against J. Nandakumar, national convenor of Prajna Pravah, who is scheduled as the keynote speaker, alongside the role of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad as a co-organiser.

Student groups demand clarity from administration

The SFI, NSUI, and MSF have jointly demanded that university authorities clarify the exact nature, objectives, and institutional foundation of the event. The MSF expressed deep concerns over the participation of Prajna Pravah and the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, characterising them as entities ideologically linked to the RSS. Representatives from the NSUI alleged that the seminar forms part of a broader attempt to "saffronise" the institution, announcing democratic campus protests to oppose it.

Objections raised over religious symbols and secularism

Beyond organisational affiliations, student bodies raised serious concerns regarding the complete rendition of Vande Mataram. The SFI voiced opposition against attempts to impose religious symbols or a specific ideological position upon the campus community.

Calling for institutional neutrality, SFI unit president Nivathi Thara A.L. stated: "constitutional secularism, pluralism and equality must be protected at a university where students from different religious, social and cultural backgrounds study".

The seminar, jointly hosted by the Sahitya Akademi, the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, and CUK, is set to conclude on Wednesday (October 7), when Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to attend the valedictory session as chief guest.