Kannur university withdraws controversial order, Education News, ET Education
Kannur: Kannur University vice-chancellor K K Saju on Thursday withdrew the controversial order constituting a special committee to monitor anti-national content in university programmes. The order, issued by University registrar on Wednesday was cancelled following strong protests from majority of syndicate members and Students Federation of India (SFI) members.
Demanding withdrawal of the order, SFI activists staged a protest in front of university administrative office during a syndicate meeting in the morning. Tension erupted at university office premises when the protesters attempted to barge into the administrative office. When police attempted to prevent the agitators from entering the office, an altercation erupted between the cops and SFI workers, escalating a tense situation. As a mark of protest, SFI activists burned the copies of the order.
Majority of the syndicate members also raised opposition against the order in the meeting. Considering the strict resistance, Saju informed the meeting that the order has been withdrawn.
The university registrar issued the order forming a seven-member committee for monitoring all activities conducted by university departments and students’ unions to ensure that they contain no anti-national content. The registrar came up with the order based on a directive from VC.
SFI alleged that the order was part of the VC’s attempt to control university events to avoid criticism against the Central govt. Recently, many speakers attended programmes and criticized the Central govt on various topics. It was alleged that these events prompted the VC to form a special committee. SFI further alleged the order would harm the freedom of expression.
The committee comprises university officials and heads of departments from various campuses.
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