     The National Institute of Technology,Calicut has recently been at the center of a controversy involving the removal of content related to P. Rajan, a former student who became a symbol of resistance during India’s Emergency (1975-77). The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with some raising concerns about efforts to alter the institution’s historical narrative and saffronise its culture.

Background

P. Rajan, a student at the Regional Engineering College, Calicut (now NIT Calicut), was a victim of custodial death in 1976 during India’s Emergency. He died in police custody in Kakkayam, Kerala, under allegations of Naxalite involvement. Rajan was arrested, tortured, and killed by the police, which led to public outcry. His father,T.V. Eachara Warrier, played a pivotal role in bringing attention to the case, eventually leading to the conviction of the officers involved. Over time, Rajan’s story has become a significant part of Kerala's political and cultural history. In 1977, to honor his memory, the [[All-Kerala Rajan Memorial Music Festival]] was organized, though it was discontinued after a few years. The festival was revived in 1987 as Ragam, in continued remembrance of Rajan.

The Removal of the Rajan’s Video

As part of Ragam'25, the Ragam Team initially released a 2-minute, 32-second trailer video depicting the story of P. Rajan. The video referred to him as a "legend" and described him as a symbol of hope during dark times, who stood against injustice. The narration highlighted his use of art as a form of resistance, symbolizing the "Ragam of revolution." However, this video was later removed from all official social media handles of Ragam'25 by the Ragam Team, following instructions from the administration, as it was seen to portray Rajan. This action sparked criticism from both the student community and alumni, who viewed it as a politically motivated decision. Many believe that removing Rajan’s legacy—especially given his history as a victim of autocratic violence and suppression of dissent—was part of a broader trend they perceive as an attempt to saffronise the institution. Some argue that this action is part of a series of moves by the administration to alter the apolitical nature of the institution.

Allegations of Saffronisation

There have been ongoing concerns among some students and alumni of NIT Calicut about what they perceive as a shift in the campus atmosphere from being apolitical to aligning with right-wing ideologies in recent years. These individuals point to several instances that they believe suggest an effort to saffronise the institution:

   1. On 24 February 2023, an MoU was signed with the Kozhikode-based Mahatma Gandhi College of Mass Communication (MAGCOM), which is managed by the same trust that oversees The Kesari, a publication associated with the RSS.
   2. On 8 February 2023, a program was organized by the club "Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat" at Aryabhatta Hall on the NIT Calicut campus. The event later surfaced on the ABVP Kerala social media handle, despite the student code of conduct strictly prohibiting political activities on campus.
   3. A ceremony held at NIT Calicut saw the presence of Swami Chidanandapuri, a Hindu saint from Advaithashramam, who is believed to have ties with the RSS. He was invited to lay the foundation stone for the Labyrinth Garden under the Centre for Yoga and Holistic Wellness. Some critics viewed this as an event diverging from the institution's focus on promoting scientific temper, as it included a pooja associated with the stone-laying.
   4. The protests on 22 January and the subsequent cancellations of Tathva’23 and Ragam’24 events.
   5. Occasional efforts to diminish the legacy of P. Rajan, who is celebrated as a symbol of free speech, including the recent incident related to the Ragam’25 video removal.

Public and Political Reactions

The attempts to diminish the legacy of P. Rajan and concerns over the saffronisation of the institute have been met with strong opposition from the student community. In response to the 2023 events, a hunger strike was organized, while the controversies of 2024 prompted student protests. The removal of Rajan’s video also sparked significant backlash, with many students voicing their discontent. The Instagram page Students_Commune issued a statement expressing solidarity with Rajan’s memory, his father’s struggles, and the essence of Ragam, which is rooted in dissent against autocracy and the fight for free speech in the face of perceived authoritarianism.

Conclusion

The Rajan controversy at NIT Calicut serves as a stark reminder of the enduring importance of historical memory. As students and civil society continue to resist alleged attempts to erase Rajan’s legacy, the incident has become emblematic of the struggle to uphold democratic values and resist ideological domination in educational spaces.