Kochi: The High Court has postponed the hearing of the petition challenging the suspension of 16 students of Kaladi Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University to Monday. The court observed that the University Syndicate’s condition requiring students to tender an apology for revoking the suspension can be legally questioned. The court advised the students to file an amended petition challenging this condition as well.
The court’s intervention comes amid growing uncertainty over the studies and examinations of the students, who have been suspended for more than two months. The High Court had strongly criticized the indefinite disciplinary action against the students during the previous hearing, questioning why the university authorities’ anger had not subsided even after two months of suspension. The court noted that the students had been kept out of the university for two months, and queried the appropriateness of still demanding an apology from them.
Justice P.V. Kunjikrishnan reminded the authorities that the court’s role was not to justify the actions of the students but to remember that they are students, urging a more compassionate approach given the impact on the students' future. The court also suggested that it would be appropriate for the university to find a solution at its level and that efforts towards this should come from the authorities. He warned the university that if they do not voluntarily attempt resolution, the court would be compelled to examine the issues in detail and make a decision.
The controversial suspension was imposed following student protests during the University Syndicate meeting held on August 13. The university took disciplinary action against 16 students accused of participating in the protest. The aggrieved students argue that the delay in revoking the suspension beyond two months is severely jeopardizing their academic future. Ten of the suspended students have upcoming examinations; concerns have been raised that ongoing suspension will affect their exam participation and continuing studies.
The University Syndicate has made it a condition for readmission that students submit an apology letter. However, the suspended students have taken a firm stand refusing to apologize, asserting they do not admit to any wrongdoing. This insistence has prompted scrutiny of the apology condition in court.
Meanwhile, the student protests demanding withdrawal of the suspension have attracted political attention. Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan visited the protest site, expressed solidarity with the students, and launched a harsh critique against the university authorities and the state government. He asserted that the suspension of 16 students cannot be seen merely as a disciplinary measure by the university, alleging political motives behind it. He claimed the actions against students were part of a conspiracy involving the Vice-Chancellor, a former Governor with close ties to the RSS.
Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the efforts to suppress democratic student protests and stated that actions endangering the students’ future were unacceptable. He called for sustained protests until the suspension is revoked and appealed for broad public mobilization against the government’s attempts to isolate students and weaken their demonstrations.
As the High Court’s criticisms, student protests, and political interventions intensify, the subsequent actions of the university authorities will prove crucial. The main question remains whether the Syndicate will stand firm on the apology condition or reconsider its position in view of the academic and examination concerns of the students.
The amended petition including the issue of the apology condition will be considered by the High Court on Monday, raising expectations of a significant judicial intervention regarding the suspension. The court’s further stance and the university’s response will be closely watched amidst growing demands for withdrawal of the suspension.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
