M.V. Govindan Supports Students' Agitation Amid Suspension Row at Sanskrit University

CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan has extended his support to the ongoing agitation by students of the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, near Kochi, Kerala. According to a report by The Hindu newspaper, he stated on Sunday, November 8, 2026, that this protest should continue until all suspended students are permitted to appear for their exams.

The controversy began on August 13, during a syndicate meeting led by the Students' Federation of India (SFI), when demonstrations were held over the lack of adequate campus facilities. Sixteen students were suspended during these protests. These students were accused of staging a “mock cremation” of Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, misbehaving with her, and attempting to damage university property.

The matter reached the court. A single bench of the Kerala High Court directed the university to allow the students to take the exam, but a division bench later stayed this order. Subsequently, the students approached the Supreme Court, which directed the single bench to decide on the matter. The university maintained that if 10 of the 16 suspended students apologized, their suspension would be revoked, but the students refused to apologize.

After visiting the protest tent and interacting with the students, M.V. Govindan shared a post on Facebook clarifying that this agitation would not end merely by offering an apology. He stated that everyone knows whose history includes apologizing, and the students' agitation would conclude only when all the expelled students write their exams.

M.V. Govindan also alleged that the functioning of the institution was disrupted because the Vice-Chancellor rarely visited the university. He claimed that Ciza Thomas did not lodge any complaint while the students were protesting, but later filed a police case in which the students secured bail. He further made statements regarding a right-wing agenda and state politics.