SFI stages Statewide protests in Kerala over NEET-UG exam irregularities

Published 23 July 2026 · local

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], intensified its agitation against the Union government over

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], intensified its agitation against the Union government over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination by taking out protest marches across Kerala on Thursday (July 23, 2026) in solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ongoing agitation in New Delhi. The demonstrations in several districts turned confrontational as the police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters who attempted to march to Union government offices and post offices.

The State-level protest march to Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram was inaugurated by Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan. Hundreds of SFI activists took part in the demonstration as they raised slogans against the BJP-led Union government and demanded that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign. As protesters attempted to breach police barricades and reach the premises, police used water cannons to stop them. The activists, however, refused to disperse and continued their protest. In several districts Similar protests were held in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod and other places.

The police had deployed large contingents and erected barricades to prevent protesters from entering post office compounds and other Union government establishments. In Kochi, the protesters scaled police barricades raising slogans against the Centre and condemning the recent police action on students and CJP activists in New Delhi. The security forces used both water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators, with some protesters reportedly collapsing during the confrontation. In Palakkad, police used water cannons after SFI activists attempted to march to the Head Post Office.

At Kanhangad in Kasaragod, the protesters jumped over barricades, entered the post office compound and clashed with the police personnel. In Kannur, SFI activists climbed onto a police vehicle during a march to the Head Post Office before police used water cannons to remove them. The protests also turned tense in Thrissur and Alappuzha as demonstrators refused to disperse despite repeated police efforts. The police took several student protesters into custody across the State.