Foreign Universities: CPM's temporary withdrawal part of strategy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM has finally made up their mind to temporarily withdraw its decision to promote foreign universities in the state after many shared concerns that the decision may backfire in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. It is reported that the politburo also intervened in the issue and asked the government to make amends in their budget proposal.

In the 1980s and 90s, Kerala witnessed relentless struggle from CPM, DYFI and SFI organizations against the introduction of private self-finance and foreign educational institutions. Many cadres who protested during that time faced brutal torture and imprisonment.

The infamous police shooting in Kuthuparamba that took away five DYFI cadres' lives was also part of the story. The then-youth leaders who led the protest have now reached the top echelons of power in the government. CPM, CPI and Left affiliated parties were later forced to agree to allow private universities, subject to government restrictions.

The move earned many brickbats, but soon after, it was marked as one landmark decision that brought infrastructure development and innovative courses in the field of higher education in Kerala.

Even during that time, CPM stood resolute in its stance to not bring foreign universities into Kerala. However, their long-cemented stand started shaking when PM Modi’s government amended various laws to pave the way for foreign universities to start functioning in India. The lucrative plan caught the attention of many states who all then followed suit.

CPM thus realized that in these changed times, it would be bizarre to still stick with the age-old notions.

However, CPM in Kerala decided to do things in haste which has now invited unwanted trouble. No inter-party discussion was held before presenting the decision through the budget. Even CPM-affiliated student organizations have shown their dissent to the move.

State secretary M V Govindan has now assured that the party would address the issue only after conducting high-level discussions with all cadres, which will happen only after LS polls.