St Agnes College Students Protest Semester Exams During Dasara Festival

On Monday, October 12, 2026, undergraduate students of St Agnes College in Mangaluru, Karnataka, staged a protest against the college administration's decision to conduct semester examinations during the Dasara festival period. Hundreds of students boycotted their scheduled exams outside the college gates near Bendorewell. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) supported the students' agitation, and police intervened, attempting to detain ABVP student leaders. Students and activists blocked police vehicles and disrupted traffic, with some reportedly lying down in front of a police jeep.

Students had previously appealed to the college management for a postponement of the exam schedule, but their request was not granted. The semester examinations are scheduled from October 12 to October 28, 2026. Students argued that the exam timing would prevent their participation in the Mangaluru Dasara celebrations. Despite the protest, examinations proceeded on campus for students who chose to appear for their tests.