SFI to boycott classes on July 10 protesting against Kerala Governor
SFI State president M. Sivaprasad told reporters on Wednesday that college and school students allied with the SFI would cut classes and march to Central government offices across the State against Mr. Arlekar's attempt to 'undermine the autonomy of public-funded universities in the State.'
Mr. Sivaprasad also warned that SFI activists would boycott 'temporary Vice-Chancellors' appointed by Raj Bhavan to 'pursue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) Hindu majoritarian, anti-minority, right-wing nationalist, revanchist and divisive higher education sector agenda.'
He accused the Kerala Students Union (KSU) of turning its back on the widespread protests for 'democracy and secularism' on campuses. He accused Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan of reining in the KSU to aid the RSS.
The SFI stated that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were in collusion within the State's higher education sector. 'Notably, the Chancellor had nominated Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders to the Calicut varsity senate. The Senate members have since been permanent fixtures at RSS programmes,' Mr. Sivaprasad said.
Slams Satheesan
The SFI took strong exception to Mr. Satheesan's purported statement that the SFI protests at the Kerala University campus in Thiruvananthapuram were hooliganism abetted by the police.
Mr. Sivaprasad said the SFI 'did not need the cover of power' to fight for its causes, as Mr Satheesan had alleged. 'As many as 30 SFI leaders are in judicial remand for protesting against the Governor's bid to saffronise higher education at the Senate Hall campus in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Many sustained injuries after grappling with police', he said.
Mr. Sivaprasad accused Mr. Satheesan of being 'a covert RSS sympathiser.'
'Mr. Satheesan genuflecting before a portrait of an RSS ideologue at a Sangh Parivar function is still viral on social media,' he added.
Satheesan reiterates stance
Meanwhile, Mr. Satheesan reiterated his stance that the SFI had disrupted varsity functioning and imperilled the future of students by trespassing on the Senate Hall office with law enforcement's 'tacit approval'.
He told reporters in Kochi that SFI workers had singled out KSU activists for attacks on college campuses.
Mr. Satheesan said the Congress was in the forefront of the fight against the Governor's bid to saffronise State-funded universities, and that the Opposition 'did not require the SFI's endorsement.'
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