KOCHI: The High Court has made it clear that college principals can exercise discretion in granting permission for artistic programs on college campuses, including by outside professional artists and troupes.
The order was on a petition filed by the Council of Principals of Colleges in Kerala against the government order issued on April 9, 2024.

The petition questioned the provision of giving permission to outsiders to conduct programs and students collecting funds for the same by informing the principal five days in advance. Staying this, Justice AA Ziyad Rahman clarified that the decision can be taken by the superior using discretion.

College auditoriums cannot accommodate large crowds. The college authorities have no experience in dealing with such a situation. The plea was to continue the ban on such programs on campuses to avoid tragic incidents like what happened in CUSAT.