On December 11, 2024, students from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) clashed on the campus of Thottada Industrial Training Institute, resulting in the injuries of at least 10 students. Police used batons to disperse students. 

The clash occurred after a group of students from SFI removed a KSU flag from campus. When KSU activists went to file a complaint with the university president’s office, SFI students blocked their path, which led to a physical confrontation between the two groups. At least 10 students from SFI and KSU were injured. Police arrived later and dispersed students with batons. 

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by students against other students. Scholars at Risk calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid violence. State authorities have the right and obligation to maintain order, which they must with due regard for the rights of protesters and others, including the rights to free expression, academic freedom, peaceful assembly, and due process.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
The Hindu
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/12/11/sfi-ksu-clash-kannur-thottada-iti-closed-indefinitely.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/violent-clash-at-thottada-iti-leads-to-indefinite-closure-following-sfi-ksu-conflict/articleshow/116225551.cms
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/clash-ksu-sfi-workers-kerala-iti-student-activists-injured-9719607/