Curtains down on Kerala's 'shameful' university youth festival

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All events including the closing ceremony of the university youth festival were cancelled as repeated ruckus and bribery accusations took away the sheen of the cultural extravaganza. This predicament is the first time in the history of Kerala University. The university registrar issued the notice after the vice–chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal suggested that the arts festival be suspended until further notice. Some organizers and contestants expressed relief at the decision while some others were a little convinced.

The contestants have alleged that the university union's grip and political overtones have worsened the arts festival held in the capital since Thursday.

The university youth festival of this year courted controversy from the very start after a judge was arrested for taking a bribe in return for subverting the results. Last day, the KSU activists protested near the arts festival alleging SFI brutality to students, and police had to arrest members from both groups to alleviate tension.

The vice-chancellor was forced to make a timely intervention, to prevent the situation from reaching the nadir of shame. The group dance event, which was supposed to be held at the main stage of the Senate Hall at 9 am on Monday was cancelled. Students from various colleges performed a ‘protest dance’ against the decision to stop the festival.

Senate Hall witnessed dramatic events since Monday morning. University and Govt. Women's College students protested by sitting on the stage of the hall, demanding that the results of Thiruvathira and Margamkali be announced. After the meeting of the college representatives, the Appellate Committee announced that the results of 'Thiruvathira' and 'Margamkali' competitions were cancelled. It was due to this chaos that the ‘group dance’ event had to be dropped.

The date for the closing ceremony will be announced later.