Thiruvananthapuram, February 10 Tension gripped the headquarters of the Kerala University on Tuesday after a march organized by the SFI, protesting against the Vice Chancellor's decision to deny permission to hold the university's arts festival.
Despite police action, including the use of water cannons and barricades, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) pushed forward and entered the university building, which houses the offices of the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar, chanting slogans against the authorities.
The SFI is the student wing of the ruling CPI(M).
Police attempted to stop the students, but several protesters climbed over the half-wall of the building and gathered in front of the offices, continuing their protest.
The march to the university headquarters was part of the day-and-night agitation launched by the SFI against Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummel, which entered its second day on Tuesday.
Besides opposing the Vice Chancellor's decision to prevent the outgoing union from holding the arts festival, the students also demanded the immediate release of travel allowance (TA) dues for sports students, which they said have been pending for several months.
SFI leaders alleged that the Vice Chancellor had failed to address the students' concerns or hold talks with them, and said the protest would continue until their demands are met.