Prakash Raj challenges Kerala govt over student suspensions, vows to join hunger strike

Kochi: Can a protest staged to highlight the lack of basic facilities at a university become grounds for suspending students and keeping them away from examinations?

Actor Prakash Raj has raised precisely this question, launching a sharp attack on the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala over the suspension of 16 students at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady.

Visiting the university on Saturday, Raj extended his support to the students, who have been on a hunger strike for the past six days after being denied permission to appear for their examinations. He also issued a direct warning to the state government, saying he would join their agitation if the impasse continued.

Targeting the university administration and Higher Education Minister Roji M John, Raj accused the authorities of adopting an increasingly authoritarian attitude toward students who question institutional decisions and demand better facilities.

‘What is this anarchy, dictatorial behaviour of the university or the education minister of this state? How long will everybody become like Modi and the Central government to stop youngsters from protesting and asking questions,’ he asked.

The controversy stems from an SFI-led protest during a university syndicate meeting on August 13.

The demonstration was organised over what students alleged was an inadequacy of basic facilities on campus.

However, the university accused the protesters of staging a 'mock cremation' of Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, manhandling her and attempting to damage university property. Sixteen students were subsequently suspended.

Questioning the severity of the action, Raj argued that students should not be punished for expressing their grievances through protest and performance. He specifically challenged the university's position on the alleged mock cremation.

‘Now, doing a play is a crime in this country? You suspend them, and now you are asking for an apology,’ he said.

Invoking the country's freedom struggle and constitutional principles, the actor said the younger generation would not be intimidated into submitting apology letters.

He distinguished between the politics of seeking forgiveness and the democratic right to dissent.

‘This generation is not Savarkar's to write sorry petitions. This generation protests with the strength Gandhi taught them and asks questions with the rights Babasaheb Ambedkar gave them. This is not Manusmriti, this is the Constitution,’ Raj declared.

The dispute has also moved through the judicial system. The Kerala High Court's single bench directed the university to let the suspended students sit for their examinations.

However, a division bench subsequently stayed that order. The students then approached the Supreme Court, which directed the High Court's single bench to decide the matter.

Raj questioned why the university had challenged the single bench's direction instead of allowing the students to take their examinations. He alleged that the university was using legal proceedings to deny them an academic opportunity.

He also questioned the evidence behind the allegations of physical assault against the vice-chancellor, asking the authorities to establish the basis of their claims.

He maintained that the students should be allowed to write their examinations while an investigation into the incident proceeds.

Addressing the higher education minister, who represents the constituency, Raj urged him to engage directly with the protesters rather than insist on apology letters or rely on suspensions.

‘Are you interested in how they are protesting or why they are protesting? Come, talk to them, understand their problems and try to solve them,’ he said.

The actor further questioned why a Congress-led government in Kerala was adopting an approach that he likened to that of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

He called on the minister to resolve the dispute and regain the confidence of students and their parents.

Reiterating his solidarity, Raj said his visit was meant to stand with the protesting students and that he was prepared to set aside other commitments to join them.

‘I have come here for a protest, but I promise that if this continues, I will come and sit with them here. I have no problem. I can stop everything and come and sit here,’ he said.

Raj also acknowledged the support extended to the students by the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and other youth organisations.

With 16 students continuing their hunger strike, the dispute has become a larger flashpoint over campus dissent, disciplinary action and the right of students to question university authorities.