SFI Protests Against Kerala Higher Education Minister Over University Hostel Clash
SFI activists protested against Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M. John at Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, over alleged police excesses against students at the University Men's Hostel.
Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists staged a protest against Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M. John during his visit to Government Arts College in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The students raised slogans over the government’s alleged failure to take action against what they described as police excesses at the University Men's Hostel.
The Minister had visited the college to attend the ‘One College, One Innovation’ programme organised as part of the state government’s initiative. SFI activists protested while he was at the campus and resumed the demonstration when he left the venue.
SFI Protest In Kerala: What Happened At University Hostel?
The protest is linked to the clash that took place near the University Men's Hostel in Thiruvananthapuram on September 30. The confrontation involved SFI and Youth Congress workers and continued for several hours.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the groups during the clash. Police later entered the men's hostel as the situation escalated. SFI leaders subsequently alleged that students were subjected to excessive force during the police action. These allegations have not been independently established.
Police have given a different account of the incident. According to the city police commissioner, the confrontation escalated after stones and bottles were allegedly thrown from the hostel towards a Youth Congress march. Police said force was used while trying to separate the groups and control the situation.
Roji M John Responds To SFI Protest
Responding to the demonstration, Minister Roji M. John said the government was not against peaceful protests on college campuses. However, he said demonstrations involving violence, including the throwing of bottles or stones, would be dealt with according to law. He also said he did not understand the reason for the protest, according to media reports.
The Minister had earlier said that the Higher Education Department would examine concerns related to alcohol bottles and other substances reportedly found at the hostel.
The SFI protest has brought the issue of student safety, police action on campuses and the handling of protests in educational institutions back into focus in Kerala.
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Anjali is an education journalist with over a year of experience in digital and business journalism. She has previously worked with BW Businessworld and ANI, where she gained experience in news writing, editing, research, and fact-checking. At Jagran Josh, she writes education news and covers competitive exams and current affairs, with a keen interest in delivering accurate, informative, and reader-focused content. She holds a BA from Miranda House, University of Delhi, and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Anjali enjoys reading and exploring new ideas and perspectives through books.
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