Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India]: A protest by Students Federation of India (SFI) activists erupted at Kerala University on Tuesday while Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was attending an international seminar. The protesters, representing the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), stormed the university campus in Thiruvananthapuram despite heavy police security, protesting against the Governor’s role in university governance.
Key Moments:
- Protest Against Governor’s Visit: The protest took place during Governor Khan’s participation in a three-day international Sanskrit seminar titled “Global Issues and the Sanskrit Knowledge System” at Kerala University. The protesters breached security protocols, forcefully opened gates, and staged a sit-in outside the Senate Hall, where the Governor was addressing attendees.
- Clash with Police: The protest escalated into a scuffle when SFI activists marched through the campus and clashed with police. Authorities used water cannons to disperse the protesters, who were voicing their opposition to the Governor’s actions regarding vice-chancellor appointments and university leadership.
- Governor’s Response: When asked about the protest, Governor Khan expressed frustration, stating, “What is my role in it? Why are you asking this question to me? Go and ask the police commissioner. How do I know? I am addressing a meeting.”
- Background of Tensions: The protest was fueled by ongoing tensions between the Governor and the state government over appointments to university positions, particularly the Vice-Chancellors (VCs). Left-wing organizations, including the CPI(M), have criticized the Governor’s unilateral decisions regarding university leadership, arguing that he has acted without consultation with the state government and violated university statutes.
- Allegations on Seminar: Opposition member Manoj, a syndicate member representing the Left, raised concerns that the seminar was organized without consulting the university syndicate, violating university regulations. He also pointed out that there were no regular academic council meetings over the past year and criticized what they see as a “saffronisation agenda” being pushed in state universities.
- Governor’s Vice-Chancellor Appointments: In a separate controversy, the Governor has issued interim VC appointments for Kerala University of Digital Sciences and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University. R Bindu, Kerala’s Minister of Higher Education, has condemned these moves, calling them unlawful and accusing the Governor of advancing a Central Government agenda.
Conclusion:
The protest, part of ongoing disputes between the Governor and the Kerala Government, reflects broader tensions over higher education governance in the state. These events highlight the growing conflict between state and central authorities in managing university leadership and policies, particularly in light of the Governor’s controversial appointments and the allegations of bypassing state statutes.