Overview
- Students at the Central University of Kerala protested Tuesday after organisers invited J Nandakumar, national convener of Prajna Pravah, to deliver the keynote at a two-day seminar marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
- Protesters from groups including the Kerala Students Union, Muslim Students Federation, Students Federation of India and All India Students' Federation said many who had registered were denied entry to the seminar hall and tried to force their way in.
- A heavy police deployment at the venue prevented students from entering, led to push-and-pull confrontations and, according to reports, resulted in four students being injured during scuffles with officers.
- A university official who identified himself as the dean of student affairs told reporters he did not know why registered students were being kept out and said he would seek clarification from the event organisers.
- The seminar is organised by the Sahitya Akademi with the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad and the Central University of Kerala, and the dispute underscores broader tensions over RSS‑linked organisations speaking on campus and how authorities manage protest and access.