Kerala Principals Council Register Protest and Anxiety over Increasing Violence in College Campuses

MALAPPURAM:
The Council of Principals of Colleges in Kerala has registered strong protest and anxiety over the increasing violence by students and outsiders in the college campuses across Kerala. Most of these incidents occured in connection with the college union elections and are sponsored by, outside agencies including political organizations.
Vandalism on the part of students has resulted in the destruction of properties of the colleges worth of several lakh rupees, besides leading to the loss of several working days on account of indefinite closure of colleges. The Council President Dr. M. Usman and General Secretary Dr. T.M. Joseph in a press release pointed out that the present state of affairs has vitiated the academic atmosphere in the colleges. Due to violence on the part of students many teachers especially lady teachers as increasingly becoming unwilling to take up the responsibilities of monitoring co-curricular activities of students. The College Managements and Principals taking strong disciplinary action against the erring student are subjected to defacing in social media. The guidelines for college union election by Lyngdoh Committee, as approved by the Supreme Court are often diluted by the Universities. Even flake complaints received at the universities without keeping any procedures, are entertained by them causing hardships to Principals.
Impartial and strict action is required on the part of police authorities against the students causing destruction to the property of colleges and resorting to violence, over and above the normal disciplinary procedures by college authorities. A Fax message to this effort will be sent to the Kerala DGP. If required, the Principals Council will demand special legislation by the Centre and State Governments to wipe out violence from higher education institutions. A national level discussion will be initiated by the Council for this.