An arms training camp being conducted by the Hindu nationalist paramilitary Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the Mar Ivanios College Ground in Thiruvananthapuram has triggered protests and sparked controversy, with student organisations questioning the legality and appropriateness of allowing such a program in an educational institution.
The training, part of the RSS Officers’ Training Camp scheduled for May 2, began on Friday and is being held at the college ground.
Malayalam news channel MediaOne has obtained exclusive footage of the activities, further fueling public debate.
The Student Federation of India (SFI) and Kerala Students Union (KSU), student wings of CPI(M) and Congress respectively, have strongly opposed the camp, raising serious questions about who granted permission for the RSS to use the college grounds.
According to statements by student bodies, it remains unclear whether the college management, the principal, or church-related authorities authorised the program. The college management reportedly maintains that the campus is generally not made available for other events.
The SFI Thiruvananthapuram District Committee condemned the use of educational institutions and places of worship for what they termed “arms training,” calling it “unconstitutional” and a “grave threat to peace and social unity.” “Schools are centres of knowledge and reason, not places to spread fear. Temples, too, should be spaces of spirituality, not platforms for hate,” said the statement.
Both SFI and KSU accused the college of double standards, claiming that student organisations are not even allowed to bring their flags onto the campus, let alone hold political events. The SFI said that “RSS’s actions are dividing educational spaces and pushing society toward unrest,” and demanded immediate intervention from the authorities to stop the ongoing training.
Calling the event a “promotion of communalism and violence,” SFI urged that all peace-loving sections of society should stand united against the normalisation of such activities. They emphasised the need for strict action to uphold the values of the Constitution and safeguard educational spaces from being turned into grounds for indoctrination and militarisation.
The KSU College Unit also criticised the management for its apparent change in stance. In a statement, the group pointed out that while the college has for years refused to grant access for student political programs, it had now made an exception for the RSS. The statement also referenced the controversial release of Mahendra Hembram, drawing attention to the timing of the RSS camp, which began on April 18 and coincided with Good Friday—a sensitive day for the Christian community.
 at the Mar Ivanios College Ground in Thiruvananthapuram has triggered protests and sparked controversy, with student organisations questioning the legality and appropriateness of allowing such a program in an educational institution.){kind=link}