Several schools in Kozhikode witnessed disruptions on Tuesday as student wings of the Congress and Indian Union Muslim League – the Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) held protests demanding that the state government withdraw from the Central Government’s Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.
The protests, called under the United Democratic Students Front (UDSF), began in the morning and spread to several institutions including Devagiri Savio School and allegedly also the Mukkam High School. Police detained about 20 student leaders after they attempted to blockade offices and halt classes.
At the Devagiri campus, activists surrounded the principal’s office, while at Mukkam High School, classes were stopped after students were allegedly urged to leave by protestors. Videos circulated online showed groups believed to be from KSU and MSF entering classrooms, raising slogans calling for protests against the PM SHRI scheme and against the RSS, and accusing the government of surrendering Kerala’s education to the Sangh Parivar. They raised slogans in Malayalam, translating to, “Did you know oh students, education in Kerala has been surrendered to the RSS.”
They also raised slogans against CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Education Minister V Sivankutty.
They were also seen confronting and intimidating teachers who attempted to continue lessons by asking them if they were supporting the RSS. The exact school location in the videos has not been officially confirmed.
Look at the Situation in Kerala. The LDF Govt signs the agreement with the Central Govt under “The Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) programme . A Central Govt initiative to upgrade existing model schools to implement the principles of the National Education… pic.twitter.com/6kOQRoJMaC
— Madhu S Menon (@MadhuSMenon4) November 3, 2025
Among those detained were MSF State General Secretary C.K. Najaf, District President Afnaz Chorode, KSU District President V.T. Suraj, and MSF Haritha General Convener Rima Mariam. The protesters were later released after brief detention.
The agitation followed days of political turmoil within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s administration halted all ongoing PM SHRI procedures after four CPI ministers boycotted the cabinet meeting, accusing the government of signing the memorandum of understanding with the Centre without consultation.
A seven-member cabinet subcommittee has been appointed to review the scheme, and the Education Department has been instructed to suspend finalisation of schools until the review report is submitted. Kerala is also preparing to write to the Centre seeking relaxation of provisions it considers “unacceptable.”
The PM SHRI initiative aims to upgrade 14,500 schools nationwide with improved infrastructure, technology, and pedagogy under the National Education Policy. While states ruled by Congress and its allies including Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh have implemented the scheme, Kerala’s participation has become a political flashpoint.
(Source: Manorama Online)
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
