Kerala Higher Education Minister Reaffirms Support for Campus Politics
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst growing anxiety over the future of student activism, Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M John stepped in on Sunday to clarify that the state government has no intention of banning student politics at Kerala University. The minister’s statement comes in the wake of a controversial draft code of conduct that sparked widespread concern after it was tabled during a recent meeting of the university’s syndicate.
The proposed document, which had been under review by a syndicate sub-committee, contained several restrictive clauses. These included prohibitions on common campus activities such as raising slogans, staging protests, putting up posters, and soliciting funds for student organizations. Furthermore, the draft suggested granting heads of departments sweeping powers to impose fines or suspend students involved in campus violence.
Minister Dismisses Opposition Allegations
The circulation of the draft led to a sharp reaction from the Leader of Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, who accused the government of surreptitiously attempting to curtail democratic expression within higher education institutions. Minister John, however, categorically rejected these allegations, labeling them as “fake news.”
“I can assure you one thing: the stance of our government is very clear. We believe that student politics must be encouraged on campuses,” John told reporters. He emphasized that the document in question was merely a preliminary draft prepared by the legal department and was never intended to serve as a final policy.
Defending the importance of political engagement, the minister noted that many of today’s seasoned political leaders, including himself, were shaped by their experiences as student activists. He argued that the role of a university extends far beyond academic instruction and degree certification.
“If a student at the age of 18 possesses the constitutional right to vote and participate in the national democratic process, they certainly have the right to engage in campus politics, elect their own representatives, and contribute to leadership panels,” John asserted. He maintained that the government would not move even an inch from its pro-student politics stance.
The Origins of the Draft
Addressing the confusion surrounding the origins of the controversial rules, the minister explained that the draft was a response to the Kerala High Court’s ongoing directives. Following the tragic murder of SFI leader Abhimanyu at Maharaja’s College in Kochi, the court had instructed universities across the state to establish clear guidelines for student conduct, suggesting that a 2005 model created by MG University could serve as a useful template.
The draft currently under scrutiny was an attempt by the university to comply with those judicial directions by incorporating some of the older MG University guidelines.
A Transparent Process Ahead
Minister John assured stakeholders that the process of formulating any final guidelines would be transparent and inclusive. He outlined a clear roadmap for the document’s future: once the sub-committee refines the draft with necessary amendments, it will be shared with representatives of various student unions.
“Only after hearing their views and incorporating their feedback will the sub-committee submit a finalized proposal to the Syndicate,” John stated. He reiterated that the document would only carry the weight of an official guideline once the Syndicate completes its review and final approval process, ensuring that the voices of the student community remain central to any changes in university policy.
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