Sanskrit varsity suspension row: Prakash Raj says protesting students ‘are not Savarkars’ to tender apology

On November 7, 2026, actor and activist Prakash Raj commented on the suspension of 16 Students Federation of India (SFI) activists at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) in Keralam. Raj stated that "the youth of the country are not Savarkars to write sorry petitions for raising questions and protesting for their rights." He highlighted that this generation, unlike some others, protests with the strength of teachings from Gandhi, Ambedkar, and other influential figures.

Raj expressed solidarity with the suspended SFI activists who were participating in a relay fast at the SSUS. The suspension of the students occurred on August 13 during the first meeting of the reconstituted Syndicate. The university claimed that the protest included a mock funeral for Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, which led to their suspension.

This decision sparked a legal battle, as the students sought to sit for upcoming examinations, while the university defended its disciplinary measures and demanded an apology from the students.

Raj criticized the university authorities and Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John, alleging that they were displaying a "dictatorial attitude" towards the protests. He questioned why everyone seemed to emulate Narendra Modi and the Central government in suppressing the youth's right to protest and question authority. Raj asked why the university had not provided evidence supporting the allegations of physical assault against Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas during the protest on August 13.

He noted that the students had raised concerns about the basic necessities of the university, and their protest, which included a theatrical production by theatre students, was being treated as a crime.

The actor urged the authorities to allow the protesting students to appear for their examinations if they were not required to submit an apology or retract their grievances.