On April 10, 2025, members of Students Federation of India (SFI) and members of Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) clashed at Kerala University during university elections.

The clash occurred after a group of students from SFI and KSU began shouting at one another. This led to a physical confrontation between the two groups, during which students threw bricks and stones at one another. Police arrived later and dispersed students with batons. At least 15 students from SFI and KSU were injured.

Both SFI and KSU members opened complaints against the police’s use of force.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during an on-campus protest. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression.Similarly, while state and university authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/stones-chaos-and-lathi-charge-sfi-ksu-election-clash-spills-into-streets-in-thiruvananthapuram/article69436465.ece
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/sfi-ksu-workers-clash-after-kerala-university-announces-poll-results/articleshow/120172012.cms
https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1515187&u=