TThe Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on Monday (August 17) protested against Kannur University’s decision to deny permission for its programme on the Palayad campus and subsequently held the ‘Mazdoori She Fest’ in the campus seminar hall.

SFI activists allegedly opened the seminar hall and proceeded with the programme despite the university’s refusal to grant permission. SFI All India joint secretary Aishe Ghosh inaugurated the event on the Palayad campus on Monday.

The university had denied permission for the programme, citing insufficient details in the organisers’ request. Palayad campus director Soorej M. Basheer said the application only referred to a “She Fest” and did not provide further details, including the programme brochure. The university was also not informed that an external participant would attend the event.

Mr. Basheer said permission was not denied because Aishe Ghosh was scheduled to attend. He said the organisers had failed to furnish sufficient details and that prior approval from the Vice Chancellor or Registrar was mandatory for using the seminar hall.

SFI State secretariat member T.P. Akhila alleged that the denial was politically motivated. She said permission to use the seminar hall was normally obtained from the Registrar but claimed that the Vice Chancellor had intervened directly in this case.

Ms. Akhila alleged that the decision was linked to the BJP and RSS, pointing out that Aishe Ghosh had participated in the Jantar Mantar protest.

Meanwhile, KSU district president M.C. Athul accused SFI of playing the “victim card” over the denial of permission for Ms. Ghosh’s programme.

In a statement, Mr. Athul alleged that SFI had been using various means to prevent KSU programmes from being conducted on the campus. He said that SFI programmes were being held in the name of the university union and that halls were booked weeks in advance even when programmes had not been finalised, allegedly preventing KSU from securing venues for its events.

He also alleged that SFI had colluded with the campus director to restrict KSU activities.