Prakash Raj meets Kalady Uni students, says he will join their hunger strike if needed

In solidarity with the protesting students of Keralam’s Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, actor Praksh Raj said that he would join their hunger strike if they are not allowed to write exams. The actor met with the 16 suspended students on Saturday, November 7, and said that the state government and the higher education minister, Roji M John, must take accountability for the future of the students."I have come here for a protest, but I promise that if this continues, I will come and sit with them here. I have no problem. I can stop everything and come and sit here," Prakash Raj said.The actor questioned how long the university would continue suppressing dissent among young students. "What is this anarchy, dictatorial behaviour of the university or the education minister of this state? How long will everybody become like Modi and the Central government to stop youngsters from protesting and asking questions?" he asked."This generation is not Savarkar's to write sorry petitions. This generation protests with the strength of what Gandhi has taught them and asks questions with the rights Babasaheb Ambedkar has given them. This is not Manusmriti, this is the Constitution," he said. The actor also thanked the SFI and DYFI, as well as other youth organisations for supporting the protesting students.The students have been on a hunger strike for the past six days. The dispute arose from a protest held on the university campus on August 13, 2026, during a Syndicate meeting. The university accused the students of staging a mock funeral of Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, manhandling her and attempting to damage her vehicle as she left the campus.The students, however, maintained that the demonstration was part of a street play organised to highlight the longstanding neglect of the university's Theatre Department. Two FIRs were registered at the Kalady police station in connection with the incident. The university subsequently suspended the students on September 1, pending disciplinary proceedings.On November 3, the Kerala High Court allowed an appeal filed by the university, headed by Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, against the Single Bench order permitting 16 students to appear for examinations scheduled to begin on November 4.The Court held that they had not established their eligibility under the university regulations, including the minimum attendance requirement. The students had argued that any shortage in attendance was a consequence of their suspension by the university, which prevented them from attending classes.