The Kerala High Court on Thursday permitted the current students’ union of Kerala University to continue functioning till the completion of its one-year term on February 27, and allowed the union to go ahead with the proposed arts festivals. The court also directed the university to release the necessary funds for the events.
The interim relief came on a petition filed by Ashwin S Nair, chairman of the existing students’ union, who submitted that according to university rules, the union is entitled to serve a full 12-month term from the date of its constitution. The plea was prompted by a recent directive from Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, dissolving the current union, reconstituting a new one, and cancelling the already-sanctioned arts festival.
Advocate T B Hood, representing Nair, clarified that the petition did not challenge the Vice Chancellor’s dissolution order per se, but only sought permission for the present union to complete its tenure and to conduct the cultural programmes planned during that period.
The court, while issuing notice to the Vice Chancellor via a special messenger, asked the university’s counsel to obtain instructions and respond by February 16.
The VC’s controversial decision has triggered strong opposition on campus, with members of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), staging protests against the move. Following the High Court’s interim order, SFI activists held demonstrations outside the Vice Chancellor’s residence.
The matter will be taken up for further consideration by the High Court on February 16.
