KOCHI: The day the prestigious Maharaja’s College in the city reopened along with other educational institutions in the state on Monday, it was in turmoil with over 200 students, including girls, belonging to the Left student organisations blockading the administrative office and the office of the principal demanding withdrawal of the autonomy granted to the government institution.
The students continued their blockade till evening and both offices remained closed on the day. Though the students did not give a call for boycott of classes, no classes functioned.
The blockade was inaugurated by SFI state secretary T.P. Bineesh. The agitation gathered momentum on Monday after the higher education department on Saturday transferred 15 teachers of the college who had supported the movement against autonomy.
The students also prevented six teachers, who came on transfer to the college, from taking charge on Monday.
Over 50 teachers of the college held a march to the spot where the students held the blockade in support of their agitation. The teachers have approached the Kerala High Court contesting their transfer and their plea is expected to come up for hearing on Tuesday.
“The blockade will continue and we will intensify the strike in the coming days,” said Ritu, a student leader.
“The teachers who closely interact with students have been transferred. In place of certain teachers transferred, nobody is coming now. It is to be seen how things will turn out,” said Mr Santhosh, a teacher.
A section of teachers is also staging an indefinite sit-in in front of the college in protest against the autonomy. Despite the protests with the backing of the Left Democratic Front, the state government is in no mood to relent and is going ahead with autonomy-related activities.
