Kerala University has clarified that a document circulating on social media as a draft proposal to restrict political activities on its campuses is fake. Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal said the university had not prepared or finalised any such draft proposal.
The clarification came after the purported document triggered criticism from student organisations and political leaders over the reported restrictions on protests, political campaigns and other activities on university campuses.
What did the circulated document reportedly propose?
According to the document circulated online, students could have been barred from participating in protests, dharnas and blockades on university campuses. It also reportedly proposed restrictions on raising political slogans and organising programmes featuring individuals described as having an alleged anti-national background.
The document further suggested curbs on political campaigns through digital platforms. These reported provisions led to concerns among student organisations, which argued that such restrictions could affect political and democratic activities on campuses.
However, the university has now made it clear that these provisions were not part of any official proposal prepared by it.
Kerala University VC clarifies university’s position
According to TNN, Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has clarified that no such draft proposal had been prepared by university officials. VC has also clarified that the university had not finalised any guidelines of the kind described in the circulated document, as reported by TNN.
The VC had earlier indicated that the university was examining the issue in the context of directives issued by the Kerala High Court. The latest clarification, however, makes clear that the document being circulated as a university draft is not an original document of the university.
Reported penalties in the fake document
The purported proposal also contained provisions relating to disciplinary action and financial penalties. It reportedly suggested that students involved in violent activities could face suspension for up to one year.
The document further mentioned proposed fines of Rs 5,000 for students, Rs 10,000 for political organisations and Rs 1 lakh for repeated violations.
It also reportedly stated that unpaid fines could be treated as arrears and could lead to measures including revenue recovery and potential property attachment. Other reported consequences included withholding examination results and initiating criminal proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
These provisions, however, were part of the document circulating online and have not been presented by the university as an official set of rules.
Student organisations had raised concerns
The reported draft had drawn opposition from student organisations, which alleged that restrictions of this nature would curtail democratic activities on university campuses.
The controversy also brought renewed attention to the role of political activity in educational institutions, particularly the balance between maintaining an academic environment and allowing students to participate in democratic and political activities.
Pinarayi Vijayan had criticised the reported proposal
Former Kerala chief minister and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan had also criticised the reported proposal before the university clarified that the document was not an official draft.
In a Facebook post on Saturday night, Vijayan described the reported move as anti-democratic and said it could lead to protests if those behind it did not withdraw it. He also referred to the historical role of students in struggles against British rule and authoritarian measures in independent India.
The university’s subsequent clarification has, however, established that the document being circulated on social media was not prepared by Kerala University officials.
