The ordeal that the Principal and Staff Secretary had to face from the SFI members at Koyilandy Gurudeva College on Monday should be strongly condemned. This should be seen as one of the ugly examples of campus politics. The incident that should not have happened occurred during the student union's attempt to set up a help desk in the college to help students with four-year degree admissions. While the government function for the inauguration of the four-year undergraduate courses was held online, SFI members got agitated over the delay in setting up the help desk. This later resulted in a conflict and physical confrontation with the principal and the staff secretary. Complaints have also been raised that it was not them, but the principal who slapped the student leader.

Anyway, both the student leader and the principal have been admitted to the hospital for treatment. The police have registered a case against both as well. It is extremely unfortunate that campuses become cluttered and academics stall at the very beginning of the academic year. This is not the first time that scare tactics have been used to intimidate students in an attempt to gain an upper hand on campus. Those who tried to directly clash with the college principals over the formation of help desk at Koyilandy Gurudeva College can hardly be seen as representatives of the progressive student movement. On the other hand, the threatening slogans raised during the protest march to the college the day after the violence were not suitable for the students but only for street goondas.

It can be assumed that the decay of campus politics has reached its peak when the students challenge their teachers saying that the college principal will not walk on two legs. It is no secret that colleges, especially government colleges, are run by principals and others at the benevolence of unions. Student unions have full freedom to organize and function in a democratic manner on campuses. When this freedom reaches the point of misuse, the society raises its voice against it. The memory of the tragic death of a boy named Siddharthan at Pookode Veterinary College has not been forgotten. The brutal beatings of the ruling party student union workers is what led to the death of the brilliant boy who was the hope of his family. Many other incidents like this happen from time to time.

The concerned party leadership are reluctant to intervene quickly when the student organizations start to cross the line, and they act according to their wish without yielding to anyone. The proof that these people are not ready to give up the undemocratic path they are following despite having to face setbacks from the people can still be seen here and there. Leaders should understand that slogans such as "We will cut off the feet of the college principal and burn a stove on his chest" may inspire the ranks but will only create contempt and hatred in the listeners. They should at least show prudence not to openly shout that their Guru dakshina is this. Along with the acquisition of knowledge, education also aims to acquire culture. Don't forget that any action without purpose will backfire.