Thiruvananthapuram, Objections have mounted against a draft Kerala University Students’ Code of Conduct Regulations that propose restrictions on political activities on campus and at affiliated colleges, even as university officials say nothing has been finalised or implemented.
Unpaid fines would be treated as arrears and could lead to procedures including revenue recovery and potential property attachment, withholding of examination results and criminal proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. They said students involved in violent activities could face a one-year suspension, while proposed penalties include ₹ 5,000 for students, ₹ 10,000 for political organisations and ₹ one lakh for repeated violations.
The university syndicate recently considered the draft regulations, which include restrictions on student organisations conducting protests, dharnas, recruiting new members, putting up posters and graffiti on walls, soliciting funds, organising events featuring political personalities and conducting online campaigning, according to members of the Left-aligned Kerala University Employees’ Union. Union members said the draft gives heads of departments on the university campus and principals of affiliated colleges powers to take action, including suspension, against students found violating the proposed rules. The union said it will launch protests if the regulations are implemented, alleging that such restrictions would curtail students’ participation in organisational activities.
Vijayan said the Constitution gives every citizen who turns 18 the right to vote and participate in choosing governments, and argued that denying young people the right to think politically, organise and respond while studying in educational institutions was unconstitutional and amounted to complete depoliticisation.
He said democratic societies needed to preserve campuses as centres of ideological dialogue and struggles for rights. “The public should come forward against such orders that take away the constitutional democratic rights of students,” Vijayan said.
