Kochi: The Kerala Students Union (KSU) unit of Maharaja's College has intensified its protests on the campus, demanding the resignation of principal-in-charge Shajila Beevi. The KSU alleges that Beevi illegally allowed semester promotion to former SFI state secretary PM Arsho, despite his inadequate attendance, violating university norms and undermining the institute's reputation.
Background of the Controversy
The move comes a week after the Mahatma Gandhi University syndicate let off Beevi with a warning. The syndicate found that Arsho was promoted to the seventh semester of an integrated MA programme despite having only 10% attendance in the sixth semester.
In a statement, the KSU unit committee said, "Beevi has tarnished the reputation of Maharaja's College; she should immediately step down from her position. Those who sit in positions of authority and roll out the red carpet for party loyalists should remember this institution belongs to the students, not to party slaves."
Details of the Incident
The matter came to light following a complaint by the Save University Campaign Committee to the chancellor's office. Initially, Beevi informed the university that the student had sufficient attendance. However, a subsequent college report revealed that 27 days of attendance had been granted on account of union activities, against the permissible limit of 15 days under programme regulations.
The syndicate, which met on May 20, found a lapse on the part of Beevi but stopped at issuing a reminder to exercise greater caution in the future.
