THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: High drama unfolded at the Kerala University headquarters here on Friday when a few KSU activists climbed to the upper portion of the university building and staged a risky protest over alleged irregularities in the nomination papers submitted by SFI candidates at two affiliated colleges.
The protesters, who had besieged the Registrar’s office on Thursday night ahead of elections scheduled at affiliated colleges, alleged that nomination papers submitted by SFI candidates at University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and KNM Arts and Science College, Kanjiramkulam, contained serious errors. They accused the university authorities of turning a blind eye to the alleged irregularities.
Police removed the protesters from the Registrar’s office on Thursday night, following which they continued their agitation outside the building. On Friday morning, a few KSU activists climbed onto the upper portion of the university building, prompting police and fire and rescue services personnel to reach the spot. Despite attempts to persuade them to come down, the protesters remained on the building for some time.
The standoff ended after talks with the registrar, who assured the KSU that the nomination papers in question would be re-examined and an inquiry conducted into the allegations. The university had already postponed the elections at the two colleges by a day following the KSU protest. However, the student outfit insisted that the disputed nomination papers be rejected and subjected to scrutiny.
The KSU withdrew the protest after receiving the registrar’s assurance that the nomination papers would be re-examined and the allegations investigated. Meanwhile, SFI activists also reached the university headquarters, leading to a tense situation as members of the two student organisations shouted slogans against each other. The university’s decision to re-examine the nominations is expected to determine whether the disputed candidates will be allowed to contest the elections at the two colleges.
