Cockroach protest-themed posters trigger row at Kerala's MG University; VC orders flex removal

A poster depicting a cockroach standing before a boot has triggered a confrontation at Kerala's Mahatma Gandhi (MG) University, with the administration ordering its removal and the University Union refusing to comply.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a prolonged political battle over alleged saffronisation in Kerala's state-run universities. Appointments, administrative decisions and campus events have repeatedly become flashpoints, with the latest dispute centring on imagery linked to a national student protest movement that challenged the BJP-led Union government.

The poster mirrors the symbol adopted by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the youth-led movement that spearheaded nationwide protests over examination paper leaks. The online promotional material for the conference also features iconic photographs from the protests alongside the artwork, further fuelling the controversy.

Administration orders removal of poster

The dispute centres on a flex board publicising a National Conference scheduled from August 3 to 6. The artwork features a cockroach standing before a boot.

Student organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP's student wing, objected to the poster. Following the complaints, the Vice-Chancellor directed that it be removed.

The Vice-Chancellor said the conference was being organised using university funds and therefore could not be associated with political messaging or symbols. After the university ordered the online poster to be taken down, the University Union erected a flex board carrying the same artwork at the university entrance.

The university also maintains that its name cannot be used for any programme without prior authorisation and that political activities cannot be conducted under the university's banner.

According to university rules, prior approval is mandatory for the use of the university emblem in publicity material. Where permission is granted, the name of the authority approving the use of the emblem must be printed at the bottom left of the promotional material.

The administration also summoned Union representatives for talks on Monday. However, the Union said it would not remove the display despite the deadline set by the university.

Union says artwork reflects student solidarity

The University Union denied that the poster carried a political message. Instead, it said the artwork expressed solidarity with students who took part in the recent protests in New Delhi.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) emerged as a prominent face of the nationwide protests over examination paper leaks. It began as a satirical online campaign launched by activist Abhijeet Dipke after judicial remarks comparing youth activists to "cockroaches". The movement later evolved into one of the country's largest youth-led protest campaigns in recent years and eventually led to the resignation of the Union education minister.

The dispute at MG University has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing political contest over Kerala's higher education sector. Congress and Left parties have repeatedly alleged that the BJP and the RSS are attempting to expand their influence in state-run universities through appointments and administrative interventions, allegations rejected by the BJP. Against that backdrop, the use of imagery associated with a national protest movement, including photographs from the demonstrations, has further intensified the controversy.