SFI, DYFI protest against suspension of Kerala University Registrar

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) organised a demonstration to Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday night in protest against the suspension of Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar.

The march turned chaotic when protesters attempted to breach the barricades set up by the police, prompting the use of water cannons. A tense confrontation and verbal altercations ensured between the police personnel and the demonstrators.

Following the SFI march, another rally was taken out by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), which also saw clashes between the protesters and the police. Water cannons were once again deployed to disperse the crowd. Nearly 100 protesters took part in the march.

The demonstrations took place less than 50 metres from the main gates of Raj Bhavan, where a heavy police presence was deployed.

The police use water cannon as Students Federation India activists protest outside Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday against the suspension of the University of Kerala Registrar.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT 

Objecting to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s alleged involvement in the Registrar’s suspension, the leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-feeder organisations warned of larger protests to counter the threats posed by those who have aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

‘V-C violated legal framework’

They also accused Vice-Chancellor in-charge of the university Mohanan Kunnummal of violating the legal framework and statutes of the university by adopting disciplinary action against the Registrar. They added that the Vice-Chancellor had no legal authority to suspend Dr. Kumar.

“He (Prof. Kunnummal) will have to answer for his unlawful actions to the higher education sector and the public in Kerala,” they declared.