SFI activists start fast on SSUS, demand unconditional lifting of suspension of students

Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) campus. File | Photo credit: H. Vibhu

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has intensified its agitation demanding an unconditional withdrawal of the suspension of 16 students of the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) in connection with the protests held on August 13 this year.

Three of its suspended activists began an indefinite relay fast at the main campus of Kalady University near Kochi as part of the strike.

Protesting activists said on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) that the protest will continue until the authorities decide to lift their suspension without any conditions.

The Syndicate meeting held on Monday (November 2, 2026) decided to conditionally revoke the suspension of 12 of the 16 students. It said the appeal would be conditional on the submission of an unconditional apology, saying they would not breach disciplinary standards in the future.

The suspension of the remaining four students was extended by two months due to the fact that they actively participated in the organizational affairs of SFÚ during the disciplinary proceedings.

The students whose suspensions were extended claimed they entered the campus as part of their research work. We will not grant any apology as directed by the Syndicate, they said

A meeting of the Syndicate on Monday (November 2, 2026) which approved the report of its five-member sub-committee that investigated the incidents that took place on August 13 found that SFÚ activists staged a fake funeral for Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas. It said the participation of the suspended students was confirmed based on the CCTV footage examined by the concerned officials.

The agitating students denied the allegations, pointing out that they only staged the performance to draw attention to the damaged lighting equipment in the theater department. They said it will be held again on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) at Kalady Main Campus.

University authorities issued a statement on Monday (Nov 02, 2026) rejecting claims by agitating students that they used damaged lights in the theater department during the August 13 protest. The head of the department informed the syndicate that the lights were damaged during the massive floods in 2018. The university did not receive any complaint of damaged lights from 2018 till March

The state SFI management issued a statement urging cultural activists in the state to oppose the suspension of the 16 students. It alleged that the authorities refused to allow the suspended students to write their exams despite the Kerala High Court’s Single Bench order. Cultural leaders must stay silent on the issue and support students, it said.

Published – November 3, 2026 12:14 PM IST