SFI Stages Protest at Kerala University Demanding Dismissal of Dean Accused of Casteist Remarks

Thiruvananthapuram: The SFI staged a protest march to the University of Kerala demanding the dismissal of Dean C.N. Vijayakumari, who has been accused of making casteist remarks. Protesters also blocked Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal. SFI State President M Sivaprasd stated that the VC is being indifferent to student issues and focusing only on protecting his position.

Earlier in the day, during the Senate meeting at the university, Left Syndicate members protested against Vijayakumari’s participation. They held up placards and demanded that she be removed from the Senate session. The members declared they would continue their protest until action is taken against the Dean. However, Vice-Chancellor Kunnummal refused to take a decision on the matter.

A case has been filed by the police under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, against Dr. C.N. Vijayakumari, who heads the Department of Sanskrit at the Kariavattom Campus and Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, based on a complaint filed by research scholar Vipin Vijayan.

According to the complaint, the Dean refused to sign Vipin’s PhD open defense report, publicly insulted him using casteist remarks in front of other teachers and guides, and even sprinkled water in her office after his visit, claiming the room had become impure. The complaint said this caused the student severe mental distress.

Vipin’s PhD open defense took place on October 10 at the Kariavattom campus. While the committee chairman Anil Pratap Giri had recommended awarding the PhD, Dean Vijayakumari opposed it, allegedly spreading the claim that Vipin did not know Sanskrit.

The student subsequently filed complaints with the Vice-Chancellor, but no action was taken. He then approached the police, the Higher Education Minister, and the SC/ST Commission.

Minister R. Bindu has reportedly sought a report from the university’s Vice-Chancellor regarding the incident.