Temporary VC’s Retaliatory Move; Kerala University Union Dissolved

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala University Students’ Union has been dissolved by the temporary Vice-Chancellor despite its tenure being valid until the 28th of this month. Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has also constituted a General Council to initiate the process for fresh union elections.

The move has triggered strong opposition from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which termed the dissolution a retaliatory action taken without considering the union’s remaining term. SFI said the move comes at a time when protests against the Vice-Chancellor’s anti-student policies and communal stance are intensifying and is aimed at weakening the ongoing agitation on campus.

The organisation also alleged that the move is intended to block the upcoming university arts festival. The students’ union had already scheduled programmes including a drama festival and a film festival, which are now likely to be disrupted.

Protests are continuing at the university headquarters demanding that the arts festival be conducted without delay and that travelling allowance be paid to students who participated in inter-university sports events. SFI announced that the agitation will be intensified in the coming days.