KOZHIKODE: Calicut University on Monday turned into a hall of shame with the Vice-chancellor (VC) and the Syndicate members resorting to an open fight. Vice-Chancellor M Abdul Salam and pro-VC K Raveendranath were taken to the Medical College hospital following the incident. Syndicate member P M Salahuddeen also got injured and was admitted to the Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital.
All the Syndicate members are planning to meet the Chancellor as soon as they get her appointment to seek the VC’s ouster.
The Syndicate meeting that was convened in the morning gave way to a war of words as the members demanded an apology from the VC for adding a special note as annexure 1 in the minutes of the last Syndicate meeting, alleging that they formed a group with a claim of majority and indulged in taking decisions which were detrimental to the interest of the university.
The VC and the pro-VC were injured in the direct fight with the Syndicate members. When the VC declined to withdraw the special note and apologise, the Syndicate members led by advocate P M Niyas raised slogans and verbally abused him. Following this, the VC said that he was unanimously passing all the agendas, to which the Syndicate members objected. The scene literally changed into a war of words and the VC tried to walk out of the hall. At this point, he was stopped by Niyas and another Syndicate member Salahuddeen and the VC suffered minor injuries on his hand.
The pro-VC got hurt when he tried to save the VC. Salahuddeen was injured on the shoulder and chest and is continuing treatment at the hospital.
“It was a planned attempt. The Syndicate members are targeting me and acting against the development of the university. When the protest continued, I tried to leave the hall and then Niyas and Salahuddheen stopped and twisted my fist. There are scratches on my hand and severe muscular pain,” said Abdul Salam, after returning from the hospital.
Dharna staged
A united protest committee consisting of SFI, Association of Calicut University teachers and various employees’ unions staged a dharna and protest march at the university. They demanded the resignation of the Vice Chancellor over corruption in the construction of the ladies hostel and the double
income issue, where he is alleged to have received nearly Rs 20 lakh illegally.