‘Didn't turn up as I didn't want to add fuel to the riots'; VC returns to university

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal returned amidst tight security. He is returning to his office at the university headquarters after 20 days. A large contingent of police was deployed at the university in the wake of protests by leftist student organizations. Although the SFI had earlier announced that they would block the VC if he arrives, no protests were witnessed today.

'I came today mainly to handle the students’ issue. 1838 degree certificates were signed. Out of that, 145 applications were obtained today. There is no more degree certificate to be signed. Handled all the necessary files. With this, there is no more file in front of me.

If you ask why I did not turn up for so many days, there are people who broke all the grills of the university, entered inside and unleashed violence. Although they claim to be students, it needs to be identified. A large percentage of them pretend to be students.

A big scam is going on here. The students will join any course. They will not pass any exam even after completing three years. They will then join the next degree. There are professionals who become regular students. Their main agenda is protest and violence. In the meantime, they also destroy the education of poor students. When such a riot is going on, I didn’t want to add fuel to the riot. That is why I did not turn up. I heard saying that the VC would not be stopped. The syndicate members also said the same thing. I came today believing those words.

The head of the state is the governor, the head of the university is the chancellor. He was insulted. The person who did that was suspended and kept aside. He said that he hasn’t done that. The syndicate was entrusted to investigate that. Despite that, various things happened. I want to tell these people to follow the law,' said the VC. Meantime, registrar Dr K S Anil Kumar also arrived at the university today in official vehicle.