THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University has ordered the suspension of the Youth Festival following complaints against the event. VC Dr Mohanan Kunummal made this decision, announcing that all competitions have been halted and no results will be announced. The organizing committee's response to the incident is pending. This intervention came as the closing session was scheduled for today.

Yesterday, a clash occurred between activists from the SFI and KSU at the Youth Festival venue. The confrontation stemmed from an incident where two KSU activists, who were also volunteers, were assaulted by SFI members at the Senate Hall during the Oppana competition at 8 am. Consequently, the competition was halted for two hours.

The altercation escalated to involve KSU workers and the police, resulting in some activists being taken into police custody. Oppana competition, originally slated for Saturday night, commenced yesterday morning due to a scheduling change. A verbal dispute between SFI workers and volunteers from the Law College's Oppana team, Ruben and Nithin Thambi led to the assault. In response, KSU activists took to the stage in protest leading to further tensions when the police intervened.

Following the disruption of the competition, Law College students participating in Oppana protested under the leadership of KSU Unit Vice President Angelina. Police attempted to remove them from the premises, resulting in a confrontation during which KSU women leaders were forcefully placed in police vehicles, further escalating the conflict.