Thiruvananthapuram: Tension prevailed at the Kerala University senate campus here as Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists staged protests against Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, accusing him of attempting to implement the agenda of the Sangh Parivar.

The protesters marched to the university headquarters demanding the appointment of a permanent vice chancellor to replace the interim VC.

The Left activists also sought action against the Dean of the Sanskrit Department, who allegedly made casteist remarks against a research student. Despite police barricades at the main gate, the protesters entered the campus by scaling the wall.

Police used water cannons multiple times to disperse the agitators. When the VC emerged after a syndicate meeting, several SFI activists blocked his car and raised slogans against him. Police efforts to clear the way were unsuccessful, and the car eventually left under escort.

SFI district leaders later said their protest was part of a larger agitation against Kunnummal, accusing him of promoting the Sangh Parivar agenda.

Meanwhile, Left syndicate members of the university also protested on campus, demanding action against C N Vijayakumari, Dean of the Sanskrit Department, who was recently booked for allegedly making casteist remarks against a research scholar.