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Fact Check
A seminar was conducted on the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) campus, where male and female students were separated by a curtain, under the watch of CPM teachers’ union and SFI.
The claim is false. The event was not conducted inside CUSAT, nor was it organised or supported by CUSAT, CPM, or SFI. It was organised by the Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation at a municipal community hall near the campus.
A post is going viral alleging that a “Taliban-style” gender-segregated seminar was held under the patronage of left-leaning student group SFI and pro-CPM teachers on the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) campus.
Archived versions of the post can be viewed here, here, and here.
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Upon a keyword search in Malayalam, we found a Facebook post by Wisdom Students Organisation dated September 21, 2025
In it Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation stated:
“The programme was a pre-ProfCon campus debate held on September 15 at the Municipal Community Hall, not inside CUSAT. It is a blatant lie to say it happened within the campus. Even CUSAT authorities have clarified this. Some allege that we misused CUSAT’s name. This is completely false. It is normal for student organisations to have campus units and mention them in their publicity material. This right applies to every student group, including Islamic organisations. As a Muslim student organisation, we conduct our programmes in accordance with Islamic ideals. Gender segregation is part of our culture. Attempts to present this as something unusual or sinister are nothing but efforts to create Islamophobic narratives.”
Upon a keyword search in English, we found a clarification issued by CUSAT on September 19, 2025. It read:
“It has come to the notice of CUSAT authorities that a misleading video is being circulated suggesting that an event named ProfCon, allegedly part of the Wisdom Conference in Mangalore, was organised for CUSAT students on September 15. We clarify that CUSAT has not organised or endorsed any such event, either within the campus or outside. The circulated video and photos, including claims of gender-segregated arrangements, are false, baseless, and misleading. CUSAT upholds the principles of equality and inclusivity and does not support or promote events that encourage discrimination in any form. The university is also initiating legal action against those responsible for spreading such misinformation.”
Newschecker reached out to CUSAT public relations officer (PRO) Vandana Mohandas, who said, “No intimation [about the event] was given to CUSAT, and no poster campaign or related activities were held on the campus.” We also spoke to SFI CUSAT unit secretary, Piyush E.K, who said: “Neither SFI nor any CPM-related organisation had any role in this. The programme was held outside the campus and was organized solely by the Wisdom Students Organisation.”
We have also reached out to the Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation and its members, allegedly from the outfit’s CUSAT campus unit, for more clarity regarding the event. We will update this article once we receive a response.
Meanwhile, a Times of India report (September 22, 2025) quoted registrar Arun A.U. as saying that CUSAT has decided to approach the court against the unauthorised use of its name in connection with the ProfCon event.
The claim that a Taliban-style gender-segregated seminar was held inside CUSAT under CPM teachers’ union and SFI’s watch is false. The event was held outside campus by the Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation, without CUSAT’s permission or involvement.
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FAQs
Q1. Was the seminar conducted inside CUSAT?
No. It was held at the municipal community hall near the campus.
Q2. Did CUSAT approve or endorse the event?
No. CUSAT clarified it had no role in the event and is pursuing legal action.
Q3. Who organised the seminar?
The Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation, as part of its ProfCon 2025 campaign.
Q4. Was SFI or CPM involved in the programme?
No. SFI’s CUSAT unit confirmed no connection.
Q5. Why were male and female students separated?
Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation stated that gender segregation is a customary practice in their events.
Sources
Wisdom Students clarification – Facebook, Sept 21, 2025
CUSAT official clarification – Facebook, Sept 19, 2025
Conversation with CUSAT PRO Vandana Mohandas
Conversation with SFI CUSAT unit secretary Piyush E.K
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