A delegation from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) met Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan, urging him not to give his assent to the controversial University Laws (Amendment) Bill passed by the Left-led Kerala Government. The bill, which seeks to curtail the powers of the Chancellor (governor) and Vice-Chancellor and vest significant authority in the state minister for Higher Education and the Registrar, has drawn sharp criticism from student groups and academic circles alike.
The ABVP submitted a formal memorandum to the Governor outlining their objections to the bill, warning that the move threatens the autonomy of universities and centralises power in the hands of political executives. The delegation also raised serious concerns over the recent appointment of Prof KS Anil Kumar as the Registrar of Kerala University, urging the Governor to re-examine the decision in light of alleged political interference.
The ABVP delegation was led by National Secretary Shravan B Raj, who was accompanied by State President Dr. Vaishakh Sadashivan, State Secretary E. U. Eswaraprasad, State Joint Secretary M. Aryalakshmi, State Organising Secretary C. I. Vipin Kumar, and State Joint Organising Secretary NCT Sreehari.
Speaking to Organiser, Shravan B. Raj said the Left-led Kerala Government has systematically politicised the state’s entire education system, from primary schooling to higher education. “The PM SHRI scheme, which aims to strengthen and modernise school education, is being unjustly neglected by the state government using vague justifications,” he said.
Criticising the University Amendment Bill, he added, “The move to transfer the powers of the Chancellor to the Minister for Higher Education is undemocratic and condemnable. It strikes at the root of teachers’ autonomy and must be resisted at all costs.”
The ABVP also alleged that the recent actions of the Kerala University Registrar reflect political servitude to the ruling government. They warned that such developments undermine the credibility and independence of academic institutions.
ABVP announced plans to launch a state-wide campaign to resist what it calls the systematic destruction of public and higher education in Kerala. “We will intensify our movement to safeguard the academic future of the state,” the leaders affirmed.
The meeting marks a significant intervention by student representatives in Kerala’s ongoing issues over university governance and educational autonomy.
