Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Wednesday accused the ruling Left government of supporting violence in universities and failing to protect the state's higher education system.
A day after activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) stormed major universities in the state, accusing the Raj Bhavan of attempting to saffronise the agenda of higher education, Satheesan said it was not a protest against the Governor but "pure hooliganism." Speaking to reporters, the Congress leader said the campus unrest led by the SFI was not a legitimate protest but outright hooliganism.
He criticised the police for remaining silent, claiming they acted as supporters of the attackers.
"What took place yesterday (Tuesday) in the name of protest across the state's universities was nothing but hooliganism by the SFI. The government and the police were complicit in this violence. Who exactly is the SFI protesting against? "They stormed into university campuses, disrupted academic activities, and assaulted both staff and students. This was outright violence. And the police stood by and allowed it to happen," Satheesan alleged.
His statement came after CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan declared full support for the SFI, the party's student wing, stating that the protest against the Sangh Parivar's agenda in higher education would continue with full force.
Satheesan alleged that the academic values of Kerala’s higher education system are being completely eroded.
"Children in Kerala are becoming victims in the ongoing clashes between the Governor and the state government over trivial matters. Instead of taking steps to end this, the party secretary himself went to the university and extended support to the unrest," he said.
The LoP also claimed that Kerala is witnessing a police force that brutally suppresses peaceful protests by UDF workers--such as those demanding the resignation of the Health Minister--while simultaneously offering cover to SFI activists engaging in violent acts.
"This blatant double standard has exposed the politicisation of law enforcement in the state," Satheesan said.
The Congress leader urged CPI(M) leaders to rein in the SFI.
"What was the purpose of the chaos created by forcefully entering university campuses? The academic sector is facing serious issues. Out of the 13 universities in the state, 12 do not have permanent Vice Chancellors. Everywhere, there are conflicts between Vice Chancellors and Syndicates. It is the students who are suffering," he said.
The long-standing row between the Raj Bhavan and the state government over the administration of universities has escalated, with the SFI organising massive marches to key institutions across the state on Tuesday.
The protests were in opposition to what they alleged were attempts to saffronise higher education under the influence of the Sangh Parivar.
The BJP, meanwhile, extended full support to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, accusing the CPI(M) of using the SFI to distract from the real issues affecting the people of Kerala.
