SFI Students Stage Protest at Kerala University VC Office Over Youth Festival Funds
In a dramatic turn of events, students affiliated with the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest at the office of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Kerala University in Thiruvananthapuram. The demonstration centered on demands for permission for the current student union to organize this year's university youth festival and the allocation of a budget grant amounting to Rs 50 lakh.
Lockdown and Disruption
The protest escalated as students locked the VC's office, preventing staff members from leaving the premises. This action created a tense atmosphere, with university operations being disrupted. Notably, the Vice-Chancellor, Mohanan Kunnummal, was not present in the office during the protest, which added to the chaos.
Core Demands and VC's Stance
The SFI's primary demand was to allow the current student union to use the Rs 50 lakh grant for organizing the upcoming youth festival. This demand stemmed from the fact that a similar grant had been provided to the previous union for the festival held last April. However, Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal firmly refused to comply with this request.
Instead, the VC emphasized that new union elections should be conducted this month, and the newly elected office-bearers should be responsible for organizing the youth festival. This decision was met with strong opposition from the protesting students, who argued that it would delay or jeopardize the festival preparations.
Incident of Damage and Security Concerns
During the protest, it was reported that mementos displayed in the VC's room were damaged. This incident prompted Vice-Chancellor Kunnummal to take immediate action. He instructed the university registrar to investigate the security lapse that allowed such damage to occur and to submit an urgent report on the matter. This highlights the broader implications of the protest on university security and property.
Police Intervention and Resolution
After a blockade that lasted for three hours, police personnel intervened to remove the protesting students from the VC's office. This brought an end to the immediate disruption, but the underlying issues regarding the youth festival grant and union elections remain unresolved. The protest underscores ongoing tensions between student groups and university administration over funding and organizational responsibilities for cultural events.
The situation at Kerala University continues to evolve, with stakeholders awaiting further developments on the grant allocation and the upcoming union elections. The incident has sparked discussions on student rights, administrative protocols, and the management of university festivals in Kerala.
