Kerala police used water cannons on Tuesday to disperse activists from the Students' Federation of India (SFI) during a series of protest marches [1], [2], [3].

The escalation marks a tense standoff between student organizers and law enforcement over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and other grievances. The use of force highlights the volatility of student-led political movements in the region.

Reports indicate the clashes occurred in several urban centers across the state. In Thiruvananthapuram, police deployed water cannons as SFI members marched toward the secretariat [1]. Similar operations were reported in Palakkad [2] and Thrissur [3].

While the protests were widespread, the specific motivations cited by the activists varied across reports. In Palakkad, the SFI said there were irregularities in the NEET examination [2]. Meanwhile, reports from Thrissur indicated the march was a response to a police case registered against SFI workers [3].

Other accounts described the demonstrations as a broader demand for action on several key issues [1]. The police deployment of water cannons was used to break up the crowds and prevent the marches from reaching their intended destinations.

Law enforcement officials have not provided a total number of arrests or injuries resulting from the Tuesday clashes. The SFI has not issued a formal statement regarding the police response to their marches in the three cities.

“Kerala police used water cannons on Tuesday to disperse activists from the Students' Federation of India”

The friction between the SFI and Kerala police reflects deeper systemic frustrations regarding medical entrance examinations and the legal treatment of student activists. By deploying water cannons across multiple cities simultaneously, the state is signaling a low-tolerance approach to unauthorized marches, even as student grievances regarding exam integrity persist.