Mangaluru: St Agnes College students protest against semester exams during Dasara holidays

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 12, 2026: Hundreds of students staged a protest outside St Agnes College near Bendorewell in Mangaluru on Monday, opposing the college management’s decision to conduct degree semester examinations during the Dasara festive period.

The examinations, scheduled from October 12 to 28, have sparked resentment among students, who said the schedule would prevent them from participating in Mangaluru Dasara celebrations and festivities.

The students alleged that the college management had refused to postpone the examinations despite repeated requests. They also criticised the management for proceeding with the examinations without granting Dasara holidays. Student organisations have reportedly submitted a complaint to the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner over the issue.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) extended its support to the protest, with students boycotting the examinations and gathering at the college gate to demand a change in the schedule.

The protest intensified when police detained ABVP student leaders. Several students, including women protesters, confronted the police and blocked a police jeep, insisting that the detained leaders be released. Some protesters lay down in front of the vehicle, while others blocked the road and raised slogans against the police action.

Senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, visited the spot as tensions escalated. The protesters refused to disperse, declaring that they would not call off the agitation until the detained student leaders were released.

Despite the ongoing protest, the college management reportedly remained firm on conducting the examinations and refused to postpone them.

The students, meanwhile, maintained that they would continue their agitation until their demand for postponement was addressed.