Student politics at Calicut University in Kerala took a violent turn following the declaration of the university union election results. While the Students' Federation of India (SFI) secured victory in the student union polls, the outcome quickly gave way to severe clashes between rival student factions. The confrontation did not remain confined to the university campus grounds, spilling over directly into a medical facility. Members of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) allegedly stormed the hospital emergency ward where injured SFI members were receiving medical treatment, attacking them with iron rods, wooden sticks, and a fire extinguisher. The incident left several student activists severely injured.
Counting Session Triggers Campus Clashes
The unrest began during the vote-counting process of the Calicut University union elections. An initial verbal argument between rival student cadres rapidly escalated into physical scuffles and violent altercations. Unidentified activists from both sides clashed during the counting procedure. SFI was eventually declared the winner of the student union elections, but the formal declaration only escalated the existing hostility between the groups. Following the physical violence on campus, injured students were moved to a hospital for emergency medical care, setting the stage for the subsequent assault.
Emergency Ward Vandalised With Iron Rods and Extinguisher
While injured SFI activists were receiving treatment in the emergency department, assailants breached the facility to target them once again. According to the allegations, MSF activists forcefully entered the emergency ward and assaulted the admitted SFI members using iron rods and sticks. The attackers also seized a fire extinguisher present in the room to inflict injuries on the patients. SFI state president Sivaprasad confirmed that multiple activists sustained grievous injuries in the attack. He noted that one student activist suffered a fractured nasal bone that requires surgical repair, while another was struck directly with the fire extinguisher.
Medical Staff and Doctors Stunned by Influx of Violence
The brazen attack inside a protected healthcare setting triggered widespread concern among the attending doctors and healthcare professionals. Medical staff and resident physicians released video accounts detailing their disbelief and distress over the episode. Healthcare workers stated that watching admitted patients being attacked right inside the emergency ward was utterly shocking, but the aggression of the mob made it impossible for staff to intervene or halt the violence. The disruption has raised serious concerns regarding the safety protocols in emergency units and the vulnerability of healthcare workers during politically charged confrontations.
Political Ties and Demands for Legal Action
The two student bodies involved represent key political alignments in the state. MSF operates as the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), whereas SFI is affiliated with the Left political movement. The SFI leadership has strongly condemned the hospital assault, pressing law enforcement authorities to identify all perpetrators and initiate stringent punitive measures against them. Following an election dispute that crossed campus limits and penetrated an emergency ward, police investigation and official actions remain central to restoring order.
