Kerala University witnessed significant unrest as activists from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) breached campus security during an event attended by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. The incident occurred at the university’s Palayam campus, where the Governor was inaugurating a three-day international Sanskrit seminar titled “Global Issues and the Sanskrit Knowledge System,” organized by the university’s Sanskrit Department.
Despite heightened security measures by Kerala Police, protesters managed to infiltrate the campus, staging a sit-in within the university compound. This breach highlights ongoing tensions between the Governor and left-wing organizations, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), over the Governor’s perceived unilateral decisions in Vice-Chancellor appointments. These groups have been vocal in their opposition, boycotting preparatory meetings for the event and organizing protests during his visit.
In response to the protests, Kerala University implemented precautionary measures to ensure the seminar proceeded without further disruption. Notably, two years prior, a similar event involving the Governor was canceled due to opposition from left-leaning syndicate members, underscoring the persistent friction between university authorities and political organizations.
The seminar, focusing on the relevance of Sanskrit in addressing global issues, features prominent academics, including Dr. Rani Sadasiva Murty, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara Vedic University in Tirupati; Dr. Sachchidananda Mishra, Member Secretary of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR); and Dr. K.K. Geethakumary, Vice-Chancellor of Kalady Sanskrit University. Their participation underscores the seminar’s significance in promoting scholarly discourse on traditional knowledge systems.
This incident adds to the ongoing debate over the autonomy of educational institutions in Kerala and the role of governmental authorities in academic appointments. As the situation develops, stakeholders within the state’s educational sector are calling for dialogue to address the underlying issues contributing to such confrontations.
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