By The Hindu Bureau
Protests persisted at the Kerala University for a second consecutive day on Friday as Students Federation of India (SFI) activists attempted to block interim Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas from entering the campus.
She assumed charge a day ago after Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal proceeded on an overseas trip. Her appointment closely follows the controversial suspension of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar, triggering protests particularly by Left-backed organisations.
SFI workers, waving black flags and chanting slogans, attempted to block her entry into the university premises, shortly after her arrival. The activists had vowed not to allow her to enter the campus.
To escalate protest
Tension continued later in the day when the protesters attempted to block Dr. Thomas again as she attempted to leave the premises. It required the intervention of the police on both instances to escort her safely. This led to a confrontation between the activists and police personnel, with the SFI accusing the law enforcers of manhandling them. The organisation has signalled that it plans to escalate the protest in the coming days.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed Syndicate members accused Left-affiliated student and service organisations of resorting to protest tactics that disrupted the daily functioning of the university.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu, who also serves as the Pro Chancellor of the university, has written to the Vice-Chancellor, directing her to immediately revoke the suspension order issued against Dr. Kumar. She reportedly stated that the move was in violation of university norms.
‘External influence’
The letter adds the Vice-Chancellor does not have the authority to suspend the Registrar. As per the Kerala University Act, 1974, the Registrar is an officer appointed by the Syndicate, and only the statutory body has the power to initiate disciplinary action, including suspension.
The Minister also noted that there was no urgent circumstance that justified such an extreme step and indicated that the action appears to have been taken under external influence. The order goes against the interests of both the university and the higher education sector at large, it stated.