THIRUVANANTHPAURAM: The SFI says its initiative in starting organisational activities in self financing professional colleges has led to counter attack from managements. SFI state president Jaick P. Thomas said after the tragic death of Jisnu Prannoy, students of self financing professional colleges had rallied behind their organisation to fight against the atrocities of managements. As a result units were formed in more than 90 per cent of the SFCs. The SFI says the managements emphasis on keeping students apolitical was part of an agenda to silencing the students and curb voices of dissent.
“Baffled by the response of the students, the managements are trying to scuttle student activities on the campuses. SFI believes apolitical students are more vulnerable to fall in the trap of people trying to divide them on religious and sectarian lines,” said Jaick. The SFI had come under severe criticism after its members celebrated the retirement of principal of a college in Kanhangad by bursting crackers and putting up posters in the college auditorium. The posters bid goodby to the principal who had “died in the hearts of her students.”
While the college management said the SFI had resorted to the ugly form of protest as the principal had taken a tough stand against her. However, Jaick has refuted the charge saying his comrades are not involved in the incident. “We are open to any kind of probe. In case if any of our member found to be involved be rest assured, action will be taken,” he said.
He alleged the former principal who was feeling bad about the posters had absolutely no problem in making students from marginalised sections pay a particular fee. “We raised strong protest following which the decision was withdrawn,” said Jaick. The SFI had also courted similar controversy when its members burnt the chair of Maharajas College Principal in Ernakulam and a ‘tomb’ was made by the activist for the outgoing principal of Victoria College Palakkad.
Jaick said managements will face strong protest if they go ahead with anti student policies. “We are against CCTVs in common places and it violates the privacy of students. Such measures will face resistance,” he said. However, a section of private managements allege that SFI was resorting to strong arm tactics and bring outsiders to campus. Such elements were vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the institutions.
