Higher Education Minister Roji M John Criticises SFI Protest at Convocation

Kochi: Keralam Higher Education Minister Roji M John on Saturday criticised the SFI protest during a convocation ceremony at Maharajas College here, accusing the activists of disrupting the academic event despite his offer to address their concerns after the proceedings.

The incident occurred on Friday when SFI activists protested against the suspension of student protestors at Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit during the convocation ceremony at Maharajas College. John subsequently left the stage, cutting short his address.

The disciplinary action was taken last month following allegations that the students had protested against Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas and disrupted a syndicate meeting.

During his inaugural address at the convocation, SFI activists initially raised banners and placards from among the audience. The state Higher Education minister said he acknowledged their protest and continued his speech.

However, towards the end of his address, some activists approached the dais and demanded answers over the suspensions.

Speaking to reporters, John said he had asked the activists to wait until the convocation proceedings, including the distribution of certificates and mementoes to rank holders, were completed.

"I told them that I would answer their questions after the programme and asked them to please wait. But they were not interested in that. Their actions appeared aimed at creating a disturbance during the function," he said.

He said he had spoken for nearly 20 minutes and responded to the protesters before leaving the venue, rejecting allegations that he had walked away to avoid answering their questions.

The minister said he respected students' democratic right to protest but maintained that such demonstrations should not undermine the dignity of academic functions.

"Peaceful and democratic protests are part of democracy, but there are limits that should not be crossed," he said, adding that the convocation was an important occasion for students and their parents and its decorum should be respected.

Referring to the incident at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, John described the protest there as uncivilised and alleged that SFI activists had forcibly entered a syndicate meeting and obstructed the Vice-Chancellor.

He said the university had taken disciplinary action against the students in accordance with its established procedures and that the government had no role in the decision.

A university was an autonomous body with the authority to take disciplinary action against students, including suspension or cancellation of admission, he said.

John pointed out that students had faced suspensions of 90 and 120 days at the same university under the previous government, besides cancellation of admissions, but such protests had not been witnessed then.

"Disciplinary action against students is within the university's authority. The government does not decide such matters," he said.

The minister alleged that SFI activists had gone beyond peaceful protest and attempted to disrupt the convocation at Maharaja's College, an occasion that students and their parents looked forward to with pride.

He questioned whether the activists would similarly disrupt a public function attended by the Leader of the Opposition in the Keralam Assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan claimed that the minister had boycotted the programme to avoid answering questions raised by students.

Speaking to reporters, Govindan said there had been no violence at the function and accused the police of taking action against students merely for exercising their democratic right to protest.

He said the CPI(M) would oppose any attempt to deny students their right to express dissent.