Kerala University Denies Ban on Campus Politics, Says Viral Draft Is Not Official
Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has denied that the university has prepared or approved any proposal to ban student protests or political activities on campus. The clarification came after a draft document circulated online triggered concern among students and political organisations
Kerala University has clarified that a document circulating on social media, which reportedly proposed restrictions on student protests and political activities, is not an official or final university proposal.
Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal said the university had neither prepared nor finalised the document being circulated online. The controversy began after the purported draft, described as a proposed students’ code of conduct, appeared to suggest restrictions on political activities in the university and its affiliated institutions.
What Did the Viral Draft Say?
According to the document circulating online, students could have faced restrictions on activities including protests, dharnas, blockades and raising political slogans on campus.
The draft also reportedly proposed restrictions on using social media for campus-related political activities and organising programmes involving individuals described as having controversial or anti-national backgrounds.
It reportedly included disciplinary provisions and financial penalties for violations. However, these provisions have not been adopted as university rules, and Kerala University has clarified that the circulated document does not represent an approved policy.
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Why Did the Draft Come Up?
Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M John said the issue is connected to directions from the Kerala High Court concerning guidelines for student politics on university campuses.
According to the minister, a syndicate sub-committee was constituted to examine the matter. A preliminary document was prepared for discussion, drawing on guidelines framed by MG University in 2005.
The minister said the document was only at the discussion stage and had not been approved by the university syndicate. Student organisations would also be consulted before any final guidelines are considered.
No Final Decision on Student Politics
The minister has said there is no move to ban student politics at Kerala University and that the state government's position is to support student participation in campus politics.
The Vice-Chancellor has separately said that the document circulating online was not prepared or finalised through the university's official process.
What Students Need to Know
For students, the key point is that the viral document is not a final set of rules. There is currently no approved university decision based on the circulated draft that bans campus protests or political activities.
Any proposed code of conduct would need to go through the university's prescribed decision-making process before becoming an official guideline. The issue remains under discussion, and further developments are expected after the relevant committee examines the matter and student organisations are consulted.
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Anjali is an education journalist with over a year of experience in digital and business journalism. She has previously worked with BW Businessworld and ANI, where she gained experience in news writing, editing, research, and fact-checking. At Jagran Josh, she writes education news and covers competitive exams and current affairs, with a keen interest in delivering accurate, informative, and reader-focused content. She holds a BA from Miranda House, University of Delhi, and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Anjali enjoys reading and exploring new ideas and perspectives through books.
