'Hooligans' trying to control Kerala University using muscle power, alleges VC

Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on Saturday made grave allegations against the Left-dominated syndicate, student and youth outfits of the ruling CPI(M) and accused them of threatening to physically attack him if he steps into the varsity campus here.

He also accused them of threatening the university staff in the computer centre and in various sections with dire consequences if they obey his directives and send him files.

In an interview with PTI, Kunnummal, a medical doctor, alleged that the law and order situation has collapsed in the Kerala University and "hooligans" were trying to control it using "muscle power."

"There are chances of students suffering in the present scenario. Because they don't allow the VC to enter the campus. I am not going to the university now, as I don't want to create any law and order situation there," he said.

His statement came a day after SFI activists, who recently stormed the University raising slogans against him, continued their protests inside the campus.

Some of the protesters even shouted that the VC wouldn't be allowed to set foot on the campus.

The Kerala University has seen dramatic scenes and unprecedented protests by the Left students and youth outfits since the beginning of the month, following the suspension of the Registrar by Vice-Chancellor Kunnummal.

The action came after the Registrar issued a notice cancelling a private programme attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed.

The vice-chancellor said he has no issues going to the campus, and the police would take care of his protection.

"But, if I go there, there will be violence. Police will beat students, and the law enforcers will also get injured. Why should I create such a situation? As a medical doctor, I always believe that prevention is better than cure," he explained.

While replying to a question, Mohanan Kunnummal also criticised CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan for openly supporting the Left students' ongoing agitation against him and the Governor, the Chancellor of the university.

"That's never happened in history. The chief of the ruling party is more powerful than even the chief minister in their party hierarchy. When such a person gives a go-ahead nod to the protesters, then it is total lawlessness," he said.

He also alleged that a group of DYFI-SFI activists came to attack him at his wife's house in Shasthamangalam in the city two days ago, thinking that he was there, but were prevented by the police.

Kunnummal also intensely criticised Registrar K S Anil Kumar, who had been suspended by him recently, which was announced as revoked by the Syndicate later.

He accused Kumar of occupying the post of Registrar "illegally" and entering the office, located within the University Senate campus here, using muscle power with the support of the Left syndicate members and the activists of the DYFI and SFI.

"When somebody is occupying a post illegally, if he recommends a particular thing and if I approve that, it becomes invalid. Then, there is a big risk.

I won't support any illegality," the VC further said.

He claimed that Kumar has not given any complaint so far against his suspension, neither to the higher-ups, to the VC, nor to the Syndicate.

Kunnummal alleged that though Kumar said in the high court recently that his suspension was revoked by the Syndicate, he had not provided any evidence to support his claim.

He withdrew his case out of fear of criticism from the judiciary, he charged.

The VC accused the registrar of illegally using all facilities, including the internet, at the university even after the suspension and said he was also a party in using students to prevent his entry into the campus.

The Vice Chancellor said even if he was not permitted to come to the university, he cleared as many as 21 files sent to him by the new Registrar appointed by him.

He also said whenever Syndicate is meeting, the power lies with it, but all other times, the power is with the vice chancellor only.

Vice Chancellor suspended the Registrar after he issued a notice cancelling a private programme attended by Governor Arlekar at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed.

The Kerala University campus witnessed dramatic scenes last week after Registrar K S Anil Kumar, whose suspension was revoked a day earlier by the Syndicate, arrived to resume his duties.

He had been suspended by Kunnummal on July 2 for allegedly issuing a notice cancelling a private programme attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata carrying a saffron flag was displayed.

Kumar, who had approached the High Court challenging the vice-chancellor's decision, withdrew his plea later, citing the Syndicate's decision.

Following the Syndicate's resolution, Kumar resumed his responsibilities as the administrative head of the university, while the newly appointed Registrar by the Vice-Chancellor remained in the Registrar's office.