On August 21, 2025, members of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) clashed at CMS College during student union elections.

Following reports that the KSU was headed for a sweeping electoral victory, a group of SFI activists attempted to vandalize the counting center. Police arrived to de-escalate the situation, leading to a confrontation during whichSFI members allegedly threw stones at officers. The clashes escalated after KSU members who had won the election at a neighboring institution arrived at CMS, triggering a verbal altercation which turned violent. Despite attempts by police and college authorities to reduce violence, several students were injured.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent clashes between student groups on campus. 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)
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/major-clash-erupts-at-cms-college/article69960863.ece
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/08/21/sfi-ksu-clash-in-kottayam-cms-college.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbg-9wJLQYE