SFI protests Kerala Governor’s unethical interference in functioning of universities
New Delhi: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has launched a fierce campaign against Kerala Governor Rajendra V Arlekar for his undemocratic and unethical interference in the administration of the state’s universities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, massive student protests erupted simultaneously across four major campuses, including Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Calicut University, and Kannur University, demanding an end to what SFI calls the governor’s attempt to destroy the higher education system in the state.
The student body has strongly condemned Governor Arlekar’s recent interventions in the functioning of the state’s universities, calling it an unethical overreach and a deliberate attempt to destabilise higher education in Kerala.
In a press statement issued by its Central Executive Committee, SFI said, the governor, who also serves as chancellor of state universities, is bypassing democratic university structures and appointing temporary vice chancellors in violation of statutory procedures. “These temporary VCs are not committed to the betterment of higher education,” the statement said, adding that they were being used to terminate democratically appointed university staff and install the governor’s favourites.
Massive protests erupted across the university campuses, with hundreds of students gathering simultaneously at each campus. More than 25 students were arrested during the protests, including SFI Kerala State Secretary PS Sanjeev and CEC member Adarsh SK.
SFI said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were orchestrating these interventions via the governor’s office as part of a broader strategy to undermine non-BJP-ruled states. “The Indian government is misusing the institution of the governor to weaken federalism and inject a communal agenda into education,” the statement said.
SFI warned that unless the governor withdraws from what it calls a blatant overreach, the protests will only grow stronger in the days to come. “The heat of student resistance will be felt across the state,” it maintained.
