Many universities in India have transformed into world-class levels, thanks to the reforms taken in the last ten years. Besides the influx of international students, foreign universities are also gearing up to open campuses in India. At the same time, students from Kerala are migrating to other states and abroad. While Kerala’s outdated higher education system and unemployment are listed as factors for the flight, unlike any other state in India, students are also motivated by the insecurity caused by party politics. Furthermore, drug distribution, forced strikes, anti-nationalist propaganda, and growing religious extremism have worn students down.
University campuses to Nazi Camps
Kerala’s major university campuses are becoming hotbeds for implementing Communist-Islamist agendas. Teachers and students affiliated with communist organisations and university syndicate members stifle dissenting students and teachers. It is becoming more typical for these people to pre-screen new students’ political backgrounds to prevent them from being allowed into the institution. Let us take the case of a prominent university campus in Kerala as an example. Anti-national activities are carried out in the building, which is in the campus’s hostel area and is named after a historical place under the direction of the communist student organisation. The university authorities support illegal buildings. The reason is the fresher students will not get a hostel immediately. The Communist Student Organisation takes advantage of this hopeless situation by arranging temporary housing in this building in exchange for participation in party events. The building, which houses lethal weapons, including swords, is a source of hooliganism on the 100-acre university campus. The occupants of the building and Communist Party workers from outside use terror to dominate the entire neighbourhood of hostels. Amazingly, an unlawfully operated building, which has become the focus of numerous violent episodes and anti-national propaganda, has escaped the scrutiny of university authorities and state police intelligence. Through this kind of hooliganism, the communist organisation works in other universities and colleges in Kerala and wins elections. This is unquestionably a matter that should be brought to the attention of the Governor, the Chancellors of Kerala’s universities, and the Central Intelligence Bureau.
Unauthorised appointments in Kerala
The appointment of vice-chancellors, lecturers, and other university office bearers, including syndicate members, is inextricably linked to such activities. Kerala witnessed communist intolerance when the courts and the chancellor (the Governor) interfered after the communist government chose unqualified Vice-Chancellors. Similarly, many communist party supporters are appointed as temporary employees in institutions. This system is supported by all teachers and non-teachers chosen in this manner. They obtain political backing from outside sources. The sudden disappearance of 100 undergraduate and 54 postgraduate certificates from Mahatma Gandhi University, a well-known university in Kerala, is the best example. Simultaneously, a Student Federation of India (SFI) activist was imprisoned last month for joining for post-graduation with a forged certificate. A female activist from the same organisation was also detained when she applied for a job as a teacher using a forged work experience certificate. Similarly, a year earlier, the leaders of the SFI were included in the top ranks of the Kerala Public Service Commission’s police examination by manipulation. Furthermore, legal action is being taken against the illegal appointment of wives of communist politicians to teaching positions at prominent universities in Kerala.
Corruption in academia in Kerala
This is when agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, conduct anti-corruption inspections in various sectors in Kerala. However, an issue that goes unnoticed is corruption led by the mafia of communist teachers, bureaucrats, and university syndicate members. There needs to be an appropriate audit of the use of government funds received for various seminars, conferences, and projects. Political linkages are the only way to access these funds. This compels others, including other teachers, to yield to political influences. If we look at the money spent in the past few years, several crores have been embezzled in this area. As a result, the universities of Kerala have transformed themselves into centres of anti-national propaganda using these funds reserved for academic seminars and conferences.
Changing education sector in India
The Modi government has set several good examples in the field of education, including the new education policy. During the reign of Congress, the major universities in India were subject to the political domination of the communists. Admission to various classes was based on a student’s political affiliation. An example of this is the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, one of the leading universities in India. At one point, most JNU teachers were communists from Bengal. Many teachers also came from influential communist regions like Kerala.
Since the university conducted its entrance examination, admission was granted based on the students’ political views. The appointment of teachers was decided by the members of two Bengali teaching families. Many of the non-teaching staff currently working even today are relatives. But the reforms introduced by the Modi administration radically changed the university. The National Testing Agency (NTA) was set up for the first time. The NTA was tasked with conducting the entrance examination and selecting students. The descriptive written test has been replaced by an objective test so that the teacher is no longer needed, and the computer now evaluates the answer sheets. Reforms also brought transparency in the appointment of teachers. Now many brilliant teachers and students from all states are represented at JNU. In addition, Prof. Santishree Dulipudi Pandit was named the first female Vice-Chancellor in the history of the JNU. The new reforms have led to a surge in academic activity.
The JNU is no longer famous for violence, demonstrations, or anti-national activities. These reforms in the education system were the main reason for past communist protests in universities, including in JNU. The same intolerance emanated from the ruling party in Kerala when the Governor acted in the higher education sector. Likewise, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has been introduced and standardised in the 54 central universities in India. In some classes at Delhi University, 90 per cent of the students were from Kerala. All were admitted based on their +2 marks, which were additionally given from Kerala. It ended with the CUET entrance exam, and there are now opportunities for students in all regions of the country and from all walks of life.
Change is Necessary
Drastic changes are also needed in the higher education sector in Kerala. Universities should be completely free from political and religious interference. The quality of education should be improved. The young generation should be kept in Kerala itself. The UGC should also prevent corruption and anti-national tendencies in academia. Attempting to remove the Governor from the post of Chancellor of Universities will only lead to the complete collapse of the higher education sector in Kerala. As the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers will take his place, the education sector in Kerala will reach the totalitarianism of the Communist Party and its affiliated organisations. This will bring great tragedy to the next generation of Kerala.
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