Political storm over student politics guidelines, Kerala University backtracks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University faced protests from both the ruling and Opposition sides over a draft set of guidelines aimed at regulating political activities by students on its campuses. As criticism intensified, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John clarified that there was no decision to prevent student politics and that promoting campus politics was the government's policy. Amid the controversy, Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal also said that no such guidelines had been prepared. According to the draft guidelines, students engaging in political activities at colleges or the university would face stringent action, with principals and the Vice-Chancellor authorised to take action for violations.

The proposed guidelines prohibited slogans, protests and agitations on campus and barred the installation of flags, festoons and political campaign boards. A fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 could be imposed for gatherings or programmes organised under the leadership of political parties. Students could also be barred from studying at colleges under the university, while the guidelines proposed recovering the fine from the political party concerned. Pinarayi Vijayan, the SFI and the KSU came out against the proposed guidelines. Youth Congress state president and Minister O.J. Janeesh said the draft was contrary to a Syndicate decision and that the Vice-Chancellor's decision would not be accepted.

The issue came in the context of directions issued by the Kerala High Court to universities to formulate a code of conduct for student politics while considering public interest petitions on various issues, including the murder of Abhimanyu. Mahatma Gandhi University had also formulated a draft code of conduct. However, left-wing student organisations, among others, obtained a stay from the High Court against it.