KOZHIKODE: A clash erupted between the KSU activists and the police at NIT Calicut on Thursday evening. The clash occurred during the protest staged by KSU against the promotion of Professor Shaija Andavan, who had allegedly posted a comment on social media praising Nathuram Godse. The police resorted to a lathi charge against the protesters.

The protest march by KSU activists to NIT took place around 4 PM today. The clash erupted when protesters attempted to break through barricades and enter the campus. The police used lathis and forcibly dragged away those who refused to disperse. Around 50 activists were arrested.

Shaija Andavan was appointed as the Dean of Planning and Development at NIT Calicut through an order issued yesterday. Complaints have been raised that she was promoted despite not being a department head and bypassing seniority.

In January 2024, on the occasion of Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day, Shaija Andavan had commented in praise of Godse under a social media post, leading to widespread protests. Following complaints by student organizations, the Kunnamangalam police booked her for inciting violence and arrested her. However, she was later released on bail. She then travelled abroad and returned recently. The District Congress Committee said that the decision to promote someone who should have been dismissed from service is condemnable.