In July 1971, Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu made headlines. They awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The university praised him as “a rare combination of politician and man of letters.” However, this sparked angry protests among students. Some opposition came from the Annamalai University Students’ Congress and Indian Students’ Congress. On July 23, the day of the convocation, students waved black flags and blocked vehicles. Police responded with lathi charges twice that day to control stone-throwing students. Over 70 students and 25 police officers were injured. The unrest escalated when police entered the postgraduate hostel and arrested 31 students with force. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the DMK government set up an inquiry commission led by Justice N.S. Ramaswami. The university was closed indefinitely amid the tensions. Meanwhile, early reports did not mention any deaths. However, on the morning of July 23, a 25-year-old unidentified youth’s body was found in a water tank on campus. Later, it was believed to be K.P. Udayakumar, a third-year B.Sc. student involved in the protests. His death remains a mystery. Chief Minister Karunanidhi denied linking the body to Udayakumar, based on statements from the student’s family. The commission later concluded that Udayakumar likely drowned and police were not responsible. The report justified the police’s use of force as minimal and necessary. This incident marked a turbulent chapter in Tamil Nadu’s campus politics. Even decades later, the death of K.P. Udayakumar continues to disturb many and features in political debates. The story of the honorary degree, protests, and student’s mysterious death remains a powerful reminder of the unrest that shook Annamalai University in 1971.