‘Not Savarkars for apologies’: Prakash Raj backs students at Kalady

Kochi: Actor Prakash Raj has strongly criticised the Kerala government and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady over the ongoing student protest, accusing Higher Education Minister R. Bindu of siding with the university authorities rather than addressing the students' legitimate grievances.

Prakash Raj visited the protest venue outside the university, where students are on an indefinite hunger strike, after arriving in Kochi to attend the 'Jantar Mantar @ Kochi' programme alongside Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke.

He urged the minister to intervene and resolve the dispute, questioning why an elected representative responsible for higher education was supporting the university administration rather than standing with the students. He also condemned the university's demand that protesters submit apologies and peace bonds, saying students fighting for their rights and basic facilities should not be forced to apologise. They were not "Savarkars" to apologise for protesting, he added.

The agitation began after disputes over a theatrical performance and protests against the vice-chancellor led to students' suspension and a ban on their examinations. The university syndicate had offered to readmit 12 of the 16 suspended students if they submitted apologies. Rejecting the condition, the students launched a hunger strike.

The Supreme Court recently directed the Kerala High Court's single bench to reconsider the students' plea to appear for examinations. The matter is expected to come up on Monday.

The Kochi gathering is part of a wider campaign supporting protests to protect democracy and voting rights.