The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has declared a statewide boycott of classes on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as part of its protest against what it calls Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s “attempt to saffronise State-funded universities” in the State.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, SFI State President M. Sivaprasad announced that students associated with the organisation in both colleges and schools would abstain from classes and stage demonstrations at Central government offices across Kerala. The protest, he said, was in direct response to Arlekar’s alleged moves to “undermine the autonomy of public-funded universities in the State.”
Sivaprasad issued a warning that SFI members would oppose and reject the authority of “temporary Vice-Chancellors” appointed by the Governor’s office, accusing Raj Bhavan of facilitating the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Hindu majoritarian, anti-minority, right-wing nationalist, revanchist and divisive higher education sector agenda.”
He also criticised the Kerala Students Union (KSU), alleging that the group had failed to support the ongoing resistance movements on campuses aimed at defending “democracy and secularism.” Furthermore, Sivaprasad claimed that Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan had intentionally held back the KSU from participating in the protests to aid the RSS.
In a sharp political attack, SFI alleged that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were collaborating in Kerala’s higher education landscape. “Notably, the Chancellor had nominated Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders to the Calicut varsity senate. The Senate members have since been permanent fixtures at RSS programmes,” Sivaprasad pointed out.
Reacting strongly to Satheesan’s remarks, the SFI denounced his characterisation of their agitation at the Kerala University campus in Thiruvananthapuram as “hooliganism abetted by the police.”
In defence of the movement, Sivaprasad said, “The SFI did not need the cover of power to fight for its causes, as Mr. Satheesan had alleged.” He highlighted the intensity of the protests, noting, “As many as 30 SFI leaders are in judicial remand for protesting against the Governor’s bid to saffronise higher education at the Senate Hall campus in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Many sustained injuries after grappling with police.”
Sivaprasad also accused Satheesan of concealing ideological sympathies, asserting that he was “a covert RSS sympathiser.” He added, “Mr. Satheesan genuflecting before a portrait of an RSS ideologue at a Sangh Parivar function is still viral on social media.”
In response, Mr. Satheesan reiterated his criticism, arguing that SFI’s actions had disrupted the functioning of universities and jeopardised students’ academic futures. He accused the police of providing implicit backing to the protestors, stating that they had stormed the Senate Hall office “with law enforcement’s tacit approval.”
Speaking to the press in Kochi, Satheesan also alleged that SFI members had targeted KSU activists for physical assault on various campuses. He defended his party’s stance by asserting that “the Congress was in the forefront of the fight against the Governor’s bid to saffronise State-funded universities,” and maintained that the Opposition “did not require the SFI’s endorsement.”
 has declared a statewide boycott of classes on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as part of its protest against what it calls Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s “attempt to saffronise State-funded universities” in the State.){kind=link}