KANHANGAD : Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad, has suspended three students, pending inquiry, for putting up posters paying mock homage to the retiring principal P V Pushpaja.Pushpaja said Muhammed Anees, Praveen M P, and Sarath Damodaran were suspended pending inquiry with effect from Saturday, after consulting with the management. “They have been suspended to ensure that discipline is maintained on the campus,” she said.Earlier in the day, the college management called a press conference in Kasargod and said it would file a police complaint in connection with the incident.
“The decision to suspend the students was taken by the principal and we stand by it. We will also file a police complaint and take legal action if necessary,” said Subair Kammadath, president in-charge of the college management.Last week, during the sent-off party given to Pushpaja by the staff and management, a section of students alleged to be SFI members, burst crackers, distributed sweets and put up a poster which read: ‘Homage to the principal who had died in the hearts of the students.’
The revolting protest allegedly by the SFI because of its differences with the principal — who is set to retire on May 31 — triggered loud condemnation in social and mainstream media.The SFI on its part said it had nothing to do with the poster but said the protest reflected the popular sentiments of the students against the principal.Pushpaja, a member of the Congress-affiliated union Kerala Private College Teachers Association, has been teaching in the college for the past 33 years. She became the principal two years ago.She said her tough stance on discipline and campus probity earned her the ire of a small section of students.