CPI(M) Targets Indian Union Muslim League Over Attacks on SFI Cadres

The clashes following the Calicut University students' union election in Kerala have triggered a major political confrontation, with the CPI(M) accusing the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and police of failing to prevent attacks on Students' Federation of India (SFI) members. The controversy intensified after SFI secured all nine seats in the university's campus union election, defeating the United Democratic Students' Front (UDSF), an alliance of Congress-affiliated Kerala Students' Union (KSU) and IUML's Muslim Students Federation (MSF). The violence later extended to a hospital in Malappuram, prompting police investigations, university intervention and sharp political exchanges.

Addressing a press conference on October 30, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged that MSF and KSU activists attacked SFI leaders and students following their electoral victory. He claimed attackers entered classrooms and libraries, assaulted students, including women, used weapons such as axes and removed an SFI flagpole using a gas cutter. He also accused police personnel of remaining passive despite being present and urged senior IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty to control MSF activists.

The rivalry has a history of electoral competition and disagreements. In 2023, MSF withdrew from its common platform with KSU over alleged electoral coordination failures. The organisations later reunited under UDSF, winning all ten seats in a June 2024 Calicut University election. In July 2025, P K Shifana became the first MSF woman elected university union chairperson.

The controversy intensified on October 29 when SFI leaders N Adhil and M Sujin, visiting injured colleagues at DMS Hospital in Thenhipalam, were allegedly attacked. Police registered a case against 15 MSF activists following Adhil's complaint. He reportedly suffered a forearm fracture, head injuries and broken teeth, while Sujin sustained nasal and other injuries.

Police also registered cases against both MSF and SFI members over the October 28 campus clashes. The Thenhipalam Station House Officer was injured during the confrontation. Meanwhile, IUML leader and minister P K Basheer accused SFI activists of attacking UDSF members and demanded impartial police action.

Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the alleged hospital assault and questioned the police response. University Vice-Chancellor Dr P Raveendran appointed a four-member inquiry committee, while classes were suspended on October 29 and 30 and scheduled to resume on November 2. Govindan announced protests against the alleged police inaction, as the dispute widened into a confrontation involving the CPI(M), IUML and Congress.