Thiruvananthapuram | The Raj Bhavan–government row over the functioning of universities in Kerala escalated on Tuesday, with the Students' Federation of India (SFI) organising massive marches to major varsities across the state, protesting against what they claimed were attempts to 'saffronise' higher education institutions under the influence of the Sangh Parivar.

Kerala’s ruling CPI(M) offered full backing to SFI, its student outfit, saying the students' protest would continue strongly against the Sangh Parivar’s agenda.

Meanwhile, the BJP threw its full support behind Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who has been accused by the SFI and CPI(M) of pushing the Sangh Parivar agenda in universities.

The saffron party alleged that the CPI(M) is using the SFI to divert attention from the real issues affecting the people of Kerala.

Earlier, raising slogans against Governor Arlekar -- who also serves as Chancellor of the universities -- protestors broke through police barricades outside the headquarters of Kannur, Calicut, and Kerala Universities.

Police responded with water cannons in Kannur, but SFI members managed to reach the Vice-Chancellor’s office, where they staged a sit-in protest.

Tensions also rose at Calicut University in Thenjippalam, Malappuram district, where a brief scuffle broke out between police and student protestors during the march.

The SFI organised similar marches at Kerala University. Protestors broke open the gates of the Kerala University headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and stormed into the office complex, as police failed to control the agitation.

They stood inside the university building, raising slogans against the Governor and Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal.

The protesters called for the resignation of the V-Cs of Calicut and Kerala Universities, accusing them of aligning too closely with the ideology of the Sangh Parivar.

Police remained on high alert at all locations to prevent any further escalation.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan greeted protesting SFI workers in solidarity.

"We will not allow a situation where anything can be done at will in Kerala's universities," he said in a Facebook post.

"If actions are taken according to the RSS's agenda, students and the public will not accept it. The stance taken by the Vice Chancellor of Kerala University is wrong -- even the court has pointed this out. Justifying everything by claiming it is part of education will not be accepted. The students' protest will continue strongly," Govindan added.

The BJP alleged that the CPI(M) is deliberately trying to trigger clashes on campuses and in public spaces using the SFI, in an attempt to distract the public from the real issues raised by the BJP.

"No matter how much the CPI(M) tries to use SFI and DYFI to suppress the truth, the BJP will continue to stand with the people and raise their concerns," the party said.

The BJP state committee added that protests would continue until solutions were found.

Universities in Kerala have recently witnessed a power struggle between the Raj Bhavan and the Left-led state government.

Tensions escalated after some Vice-Chancellors, appointed temporarily by the Chancellor, took actions that student and teacher unions affiliated with the Left allege are supportive of the Sangh Parivar.

Kerala University has seen dramatic scenes since the beginning of the month, following the suspension of the Registrar by Vice-Chancellor Kunnummal.

The action came after the Registrar issued a notice cancelling a private programme attended by Governor Arlekar at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed.