Kasargod, 06 Oct(H.S.): Student organisations staged a joint protest at the Central University of Kerala in Periya on Tuesday against the participation of J. Nandakumar, national coordinator of the RSS-affiliated Prajna Pravah, as chief guest at a seminar marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

The two-day national seminar, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, is being organised by the university in association with the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, described as a Sangh Parivar-aligned organisation, and the Sahitya Akademi.

Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Muslim Students Federation (MSF) and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) jointly organised the blockade, opposing the invitation extended to Nandakumar.

Discontent had been growing on the campus since the event brochure was released, with the participating organisations objecting to the presence of RSS-linked figures at a university programme.

Accusing the organisers of advancing a “saffronisation agenda”, protesters declared that they would resist the entry of RSS leaders into the campus. Raising “RSS go back” slogans, they blocked the university’s main entrance.

The agitation subsequently moved to the Central Library Hall, where the seminar was being held. Students sat outside the hall’s doors and continued their protest, bringing the confrontation directly to the venue.

Protesters alleged that police prevented them from entering the hall even after checking their identity cards. They said their requests for admission were rejected, while activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were allowed inside.

The allegation of selective entry added to the students’ objections over the organisation of the event and the choice of its chief guest.

The supplied account did not include responses from the university administration, police or seminar organisers to the allegations. It also did not clarify whether the blockade disrupted the proceedings or whether Nandakumar had entered the venue during the protest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman