Kerala University Files Police Complaint After Students Vandalize VC's Office
In a significant escalation of campus tensions, the registrar of Kerala University (KU) has formally lodged a police complaint demanding legal action against students and syndicate members involved in the alleged vandalism of the Vice-Chancellor's office. The complaint, filed on the instructions of Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummel, was submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP), the city police commissioner, and the SHO of the Museum Police station in Thiruvananthapuram.
Details of the Incident and Police Complaint
The complaint stems from an incident on Thursday when a group of students, reportedly from the Students' Federation of India (SFI) at Thiruvananthapuram University College, forcibly entered the VC's chamber. According to the university's account, the students locked staff members inside, created a threatening atmosphere, and damaged materials, including mementos, kept in the office. Notably, the VC was not present during the altercation.
The complaint specifically names CPM syndicate members G Muraleedharan Pillai and Dr N Pramod, alleging they facilitated the students' entry into the VC's chamber. Security personnel reported that these syndicate members instructed them to step aside as the protesting students attempted to access the office. The university has submitted CCTV footage to the police, which reportedly shows students shouting slogans inside the office and syndicate member Muraleedharan Pillai shouting outside, along with alleged threats made to the VC's private secretary.
Protest Over Youth Festival Funding and Allegations of Financial Motives
The students organized the protest to demand the immediate allocation of a Rs 50 lakh budget for the current university union to conduct a youth festival. However, the VC maintains that since the current union organized the festival last April, the newly elected union officials should be responsible for organizing the next one.
Adding a layer of controversy, there are allegations that the rush to conduct the youth festival is driven by financial gain. Some syndicate members are accused of collecting donations amounting to double the university's budget allocation in collaboration with university-affiliated institutions. This raises questions about the underlying motives behind the protest and the involvement of syndicate members.
Unprecedented Legal Action Against Syndicate Members
This marks the first time the university registrar has filed a police complaint requesting a case against syndicate members for abetting student misconduct. The complaint alleges that the syndicate members colluded with the students to assist in the attack, highlighting a serious breach of institutional protocol and governance.
The incident has sparked concerns about campus safety and the role of political elements in university administration. As the police review the complaint and evidence, including the CCTV footage, the case is expected to set a precedent for handling such conflicts in academic institutions across Kerala.
