CPI(M)-led group marches to Sanskrit university demanding exam rights for students
The Sanskrit University Janakeeya Samrakshana Samithi demanded that authorities allow suspended SFI activists to write exams following a Kerala High Court directive.
A group led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) organised a march to the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) Kalady campus on Monday, November 2, 2026. The Sanskrit University Janakeeya Samrakshana Samithi demanded that authorities permit suspended Students Federation of India (SFI) activists to write their exams, according to The Hindu.
The march, which included suspended students, their parents, and CPI(M) activists, was stopped by police at the main entrance of the campus. The university had previously suspended 16 students in connection with an SFI protest held on August 13, 2026, while a Syndicate meeting was in progress.
CPI(M) Ernakulam District Secretary S. Sathish inaugurated the march and accused Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas of not complying with a Kerala High Court Single Bench directive. The directive permitted the students to remit fees and appear for their exams.
Sathish rejected reports that the students had staged a mock funeral of Ciza Thomas during the August 13 protest. He also blamed Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John for supporting claims made by university authorities.
The university issued a release rejecting claims by agitating students that damaged lights were used at the Department of Theatre during the protest. The university stated the Head of the Department informed the Syndicate that the lights were damaged during the 2018 floods.
The university noted it had received no complaints regarding the damaged lights between 2018 and March 2026. Ciza Thomas assumed charge as Vice-Chancellor in March 2026.