Kerala University V-C’s chamber vandalism: legal action sought against CPI(M) Syndicate members and SFI activists

Kerala University has submitted a formal complaint to the State Police Chief, seeking legal action against CPI(M)-backed Syndicate members and Students Federation of India (SFI) activists in connection with a recent demonstration at the university.

The complaint, filed by the Registrar on the instructions of the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal, accuses the group of forcibly intruding into the V-C’s chamber. The Syndicate members, G. Muralidharan and N. Pramod, have been accused of facilitating and abetting the students’ unlawful entry.

According to the complaint, a group of students trespassed into the V-C’s office, confined the staff members inside their rooms, created an atmosphere of intimidation and damaged property, including mementos and other materials kept in the office. Professor Kunnummal was not present in the office at the time of the incident.

The Registrar’s letter also states that documentary evidence indicated that the two Syndicate members colluded with the protesting students and actively assisted them in carrying out the act of violence. Security personnel have reported that the Syndicate members instructed them to leave their duty posts when they attempted to prevent the students from entering the V-C’s office.

‘Verbal abuse’

CCTV footage that purportedly shows students raising slogans inside the V-C’s office, Mr. Muralidharan shouting in front of the chamber, and issuing threats and verbal abuse towards the V-C’s private secretary has been handed over to the police along with the complaint.

The protest was organised demanding the immediate release of ₹50 lakh, earmarked as the Budget allocation for conducting the University Youth Festival, to the present university union. However, the V-C has maintained that since the existing union conducted the youth festival in April last, the responsibility for organising the next festival should rest with the newly elected union after the elections.