Sanskrit University: why should those students still be made to wait in the sun?

These are times of a surge of student and youth movements all over the world. In recent years, youth have been toppling governments in our neighboring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. In Serbia, the dictator-turned-politician Aleksandar Vucic was ousted from power by a group of students called the 'Students' List' in the elections held last month.  In India, despite various allegations being made against several ministers in the governments led by Narendra Modi since 2014, not a single minister has had to resign. That record of stubbornness was also broken this year by students who protested against the NEET irregularities that cost the lives and peace of mind of many students. In Aligarh and Jamia Millia Islamia universities, where student activism had been prevented from holding union elections to protect the interests of the central government, the struggles to restore democracy have also been successful in recent days. Students are also fueling the protests across the country against the denial of rights by the Central Election Commission under the guise of SIR.

It is at a time when student power is becoming the guardians of democracy in this manner that students who raised legitimate academic demands at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, Kerala, are being hunted down with a vengeance. They started their protest three months ago, raising basic demands such as replacing the light and sound equipment in the drama department damaged during the floods, ensuring basic facilities and drinking water, and filling up the vacancies of teachers. The symbolic death of the damaged lights in a play was interpreted as a 'symbolic coffin of the Vice Chancellor', and 16 students were suspended. There are also contradictions in the legal steps taken by the university in this matter, including the Vice Chancellor filing a complaint three days after the incident and registering two FIRs in the same incident. More than a disciplinary action to correct a wrong, this can be seen only as a move to destroy the future of the students and to humiliate them in public. The Maharaja's College Students' Union Vice Chairperson and Chairman, who raised questions regarding this at a graduation ceremony attended by Higher Education Minister Roji M. John - who is also the people's representative of the constituency where the university is located - were also suspended later. It should be remembered that this is in a country led by a Chief Minister and a Higher Education Minister who grew up through student politics by protesting and raising questions. Regardless of on whose advice, the Vice Chancellor's decision to appeal and quash the High Court's order to allow suspended Kalady University students to write the exams is a clear anti-student stance.

The syndicate's decision to withdraw the suspension of 14 students if they submit a written apology and to extend the suspension of two students is a challenge to the self-respect of not only students of that university but also of every student in this country. The students in Kalady have firmly decided not to give in to this condition, which is reminiscent of the student leaders in Delhi who questioned the denial of democracy and were asked to sign a peace bond. While considering the petition filed by the students against the suspension, the High Court asked the other day, "They have been out for 60 days. Assume for argument's sake that there was misconduct. Isn't 60 days enough?" Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan also asked what the politicians, who are now adults, must have done when they were children.

In a situation where the idea that Kerala is not a place suitable for higher education is gaining strength among students and where tens of thousands of students go to other states and foreign countries every year to study, the government, authorities, and teacher-student organizations need to make a collective effort to create student-friendly campuses. What would the university gain by taking revenge on students who are fighting for their academic rights? If the university is interested in the democratic future of campuses in Kerala, it should give up its intransigence, take the students back and give them an opportunity to write the exams. The valuable time of the students on campus and the courts should no more be wasted on litigation and disputes over this. May the students be able to return to the classroom and the arena as soon as possible. May they be able to utilize their academic and extracurricular excellence and fighting spirit for the common good of the country. May the university also be able to proudly say that these are our children.