Minister Bindu rejects Arsho’s justification of SFI attack against TP Sreenivasan

Kottayam: There has been no rush in introducing the Private University Bill, said Higher Education Minister R. Bindu. Speaking to reporters in Kottayam on Tuesday, she said that the concerns of student organisations regarding the bill could be discussed, and there is enough time to address these concerns before the bill is passed in the Assembly.

"A national convention will be organised by the Higher Education Department in connection with the UGC draft amendments. The convention will be held on February 20, and Higher Education Ministers from South Indian states will participate. This convention is a continuation of the resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly, which was supported by all parties, including the opposition. The government will ensure the support of the opposition while conducting the convention,” the Minister said.

Emphasising the need for an anti-ragging system at the state level, the Minister mentioned that steps would be initiated soon in this regard. “A meeting of principals from various institutions will be held soon. Ragging has nothing to do with politics and occurs even in campuses where the presence of SFI is minimal,” she said. “One should understand the problem in its real sense and not try to put the entire blame on one single organization.”

Bindu also rejected the justification provided by SFI state secretary P.M. Arsho regarding the assault on education expert T.P. Sreenivasan by SFI activists a few years ago. “Beating up someone because they have a different view cannot be justified. I am a minister and cannot react to such issues like children,” Bindu said.