Shekhawati University : Police Beat Students During Swami Kailashanand Giri’s Visit
A wave of unrest swept through Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University in Sikar, Rajasthan, on March 28, 2025, as a convocation ceremony turned violent. The event, graced by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri—a prominent spiritual leader whose ashram once hosted Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs—descended into chaos when students clashed with police. Reports allege that law enforcement resorted to lathis and fists, brutally beating protesters who had gathered to oppose the presence of the revered saint and alleged RSS affiliates.
The trouble began when the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) staged a demonstration against Swami Kailashanand Giri’s participation, accusing the university of inviting “RSS-linked figures” to the academic event. Eyewitnesses claim that as the spiritual leader addressed the gathering, students raised slogans and attempted to disrupt proceedings, leading to a swift and aggressive response from the police. At least four students were detained after being dragged out of the convocation hall, with visuals of officers kicking and punching them sparking outrage across social media.
Swami Kailashanand Giri, a towering figure in the Niranjani Akhara and known for his global spiritual influence, remained composed during the melee. His connection to high-profile visitors like Laurene Powell Jobs, who embraced Sanatan Dharma under his guidance during the 2025 Maha Kumbh, has only amplified the spotlight on this incident. Critics argue that his presence at the university symbolizes a growing nexus between spiritual leaders and political agendas, a claim the administration has yet to address.
University officials defended the event, stating that the convocation was meant to honor academic achievements and that Swami Kailashanand’s participation was purely ceremonial. However, students allege that the heavy-handed police action reflects a broader attempt to suppress dissent. “We were peacefully protesting, but they attacked us like criminals,” said a student leader, nursing bruises from the encounter.
As tensions simmer in Sikar, the incident has reignited debates over the role of spiritual figures in educational institutions and the state’s response to student activism. Authorities have promised an inquiry into the police conduct, but for now, Shekhawati University remains a battleground of ideology and unrest. Further updates are awaited as the situation unfolds.