Action against SFI leader in Calicut varsity snowballs into controversy

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The rejection of a request from a Students’ Federation of India (SFI) leader at the University of Calicut for readmission to his postgraduate course in a teaching department on the campus has snowballed into a controversy.

While the SFI’s State leadership on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) portrayed the action against M. Abhinand, campus unit secretary of the organisation, as a “revengeful act” by Vice-Chancellor (V-C) P. Raveendran, the university authorities denied the allegation, claiming that no political or personal reasons were involved in it.

The controversy broke out after P.S. Sanjeev, SFI’s State secretary, posted on social media that Mr. Abhinand had been sacked from the university hostel while a magazine release event attended by Aishe Ghosh, former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru Students’ Union, was progressing on the campus on August 18. Describing it as a revengeful act, Mr. Sanjeev also alleged that Mr. Raveendran was a “strong anti-Left person” sympathetic towards the Sangh Parivar. His views were soon shared by other pro-Left handles. Meanwhile, Mr. Abhinand told a section of the media that he had been sacked from the university campus for protesting against the V-C.

In the order dated August 18, the Head of the Department of Russian and Comparative Literature said that Mr. Abhinand’s request for readmission to the third semester of Integrated MA (Comparative Literature) course had been rejected. He would also be prevented from entering the hostel. The order also had reference to the V-C’s order dated August 17.

According to sources, the campus unit of the SFI had earlier sought permission to use the EMS Seminar Complex on the premises for the magazine release event. The authorities initially denied permission, reportedly citing logistical reasons. However, the students gheraoed Mr. Raveendran and pro V-C P. Rasheed Ahammed, and permission was granted.

The sources said that Mr. Abhinand, a student of Integrated MA (Comparative Literature) had earlier submitted a request to the V-C seeking permission for readmission to the third semester of the course after he became ineligible for continuing the studies due to lack of attendance. It was left to the consideration of the Board of Adjudication of Students’ Grievances.

Mr. Raveendran later gave him temporary permission to attend classes till a final decision was taken by the board. University officials claimed that the permission was subject to the condition that he would not enter the men’s hostel premises or use the room there. In view of certain complaints from other hostel residents, Mr. Abhinand was also asked to give a written undertaking that he would not involve himself in unruly incidents. University officials said that Mr. Abhinand obstructed the duty of Mr. Raveendran and Mr. Ahammed during the SFI’s gherao on August 17. He also “misbehaved” with the V-C.