Major setback for Kerala University VC, High Court allows union to continue till term ends

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University VC Mohanan Kunnummal has suffered a major setback. The court has stayed the VC's action to dissolve the university union. The High Court has ordered that the union can continue its activities until the end of its term and that two programs for which the university has allocated funds can be held.

There had been a dispute between the VC and the SFI-led university union regarding the university's arts festival for some time. Students had staged a massive protest at the university headquarters, protesting against the non-organisation of the arts festival and the non-granting of TA to sportspersons. Following this, the VC ordered the union to be dissolved through dramatic moves. During the protest, the union chairman was arrested and removed.

SFI had approached the High Court against the VC's action of freezing the union, which had a legal term of office till the 28th of this month. The students requested the court to permit the arts festival to be held and to allow two programs for which funds had been allocated earlier. Accepting these arguments, the court clarified that the office bearers can continue in their posts until the term expires. The court also permitted the two programs for which funds had been allocated. The court will consider the case again only after the term expires.