Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, witnessed high drama on Friday (October 30, 2026) as Student Federation of India (SFI) activists staged a protest amid a convocation ceremony, prompting Higher Education Minister Roji M. John to leave the function midway.

SFI activists allegedly disrupted the meet soon after the Minister completed his inaugural address seeking answers from him about the suspension of 16 students of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady. The activists demanded that the Minister withdraw his alleged statements against those who were suspended for protesting against Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas.

The protesters held placards and banners as the Minister started his speech. To this, he reacted that he welcomed the protests in a democratic manner. However, tension escalated after SFI workers confronted the Minister on the stage and demanded answers to their questions right there.

Though the Minister agreed to respond to the protesters after the function, they did not back off. The Minister then said that violence in the name of protests would not be tolerated. The Minister was escorted out of the venue as a scuffle broke out among students. The graduation ceremony resumed after the Minister left.

Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod, who was present at the function, demanded an inquiry against those who allegedly disrupted the ceremony. “A detailed probe should be conducted into the circumstances that led to the incident and those behind it, if any, and strict action should be taken against the culprits,” he said. The Government College Teachers Organisation also condemned the incident and sought a probe.