Kasaragod: Students protest RSS leader’s presence at Central University event

Kasaragod: Students staged a protest at the Central University of Kerala on Tuesday against the participation of J Nandakumar, national convener of RSS-linked organisation Prajna Pravah, in a seminar on Vande Mataram.

Activists from the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) objected to Nandakumar’s presence and alleged that several students who had registered for the programme were denied entry. Left-affiliated Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) also joined the demonstration.

A heavy police presence was deployed at the venue, with officers preventing protesters from entering the hall. Students carrying flags of their respective organisations raised slogans against the RSS and had a push-and-pull confrontation with police while attempting to enter the programme.

A university official identifying himself as the Dean of Student Affairs said he was unaware of the reason registered students were being stopped from entering and indicated that the matter would need to be checked with the organisers.

The two-day national seminar, being held on October 6 and 7, marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. It is organised by the Sahitya Akademi in association with Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad and the university.

Nandakumar is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Kerala and Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to attend the valedictory ceremony on October 7 as chief guest.