Thiruvananthapuram: A training camp conducted by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the grounds of Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram has sparked a political controversy, with the Students Federation of India (SFI) leading protests against the event.

The RSS, a right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation, reportedly began the Officer's Training Camp (OTC) on 18 April, using the premises of the Catholic-run college. However, by reports the college management has claimed that it did not provide official permission for any such programme to be conducted. The development has led to speculation that the approval may have come from senior church authorities.

The SFI, the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), issued a strong statement condemning the RSS’s actions. The organisation accused the RSS of misusing educational spaces for ideological indoctrination and of trying to lure students into “extremism” under the guise of training. “The actions of the RSS are not only reprehensible but also unconstitutional,” the SFI stated.

They further criticised the use of both educational institutions and religious sites, such as temples, to carry out what they allege are politically motivated training activities. SFI leaders argued that such activities undermine the secular nature of campuses and threaten student autonomy.

The controversy has drawn public attention to the role of educational institutions in political and ideological engagements. The SFI demanded immediate accountability from the college administration and clarification on how the RSS was allowed to use the premises.