Protests Against Kerala University Vice Chancellor Turn Violent
PK Radhakrishnan has been accused of nepotism.
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Protests organised by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on Friday, 15 December, demanding resignation of Kerala University Vice Chancellor PK Radhakrishnan in Thiruvananthapuram, took a violent turn. Students clashed with the police present at the protests.
A report by News18 said SFI students took out a protest march towards the Kerala University seeking removal of the Vice Chancellor. As per India Today, the protesters also managed to make their way inside get inside the university.
After a scuffle broke out, which lasted for around 15 minutes, the situation was brought under control by the police personnel.
The Kerala University Syndicate wanted an inquiry into allegations of nepotism in the appointment of a faculty member in the Department of Education. The New Indian Express reported that on 6 December, SFI activists barged into the university headquarters and demanded Radhakrishnan’s resignation.
As per The Hindu, the Vice Chancellor was even gheraoed inside the Syndicate room after the meeting began. Radhakrishnan told the English daily that disruption of the Syndicate meeting by a small group of members was the result of a conspiracy, denying any irregularity in the faculty selection process.
He conceded to the Syndicate members’ demand to constitute a four-member sub-committee to probe the recruitment process and the allegations of nepotism, The Hindu reported. The sub-committee is scheduled to submit its report on Saturday, 16 December.
The allegations of nepotism surfaced following few similar appointments to the Department of Education. The Hindu report added that a unilateral action of the Vice Chancellor in fixing reservation norms for 100-plus teacher appointments also angered the Syndicate.
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