Kalady Sanskrit University
In its counter affidavit, the university said that at a meeting held on Nov 2, the syndicate took a lenient view following an inquiry committee report and revoked the suspension of 12 students on the condition that they tender an unconditional apology. The university further submitted that the 12 petitioners could secure reinstatement by tendering an apology and an undertaking, but they had not done so. The protest allegedly escalated into physical assault, with the VC being hit on the head and confined for more than 45 minutes.
The students were suspended following a mock cremation of vice-chancellor Ciza Thomas during a protest and subsequent untoward incidents, according to the affidavit filed by the university’s registrar-in-charge. However, the suspension of four students — Archana P S, Shyamjith, Sradha C P and Abhijith K V — was extended by two months for allegedly entering the campus in violation of the suspension order.
The affidavit further alleged that the protest was a premeditated political agitation rather than an expression of genuine grievances. It noted that several petitioners faced serious criminal charges, including assault and wrongful confinement. The university also pointed out that almost all prominent leaders of the opposition political party had visited the satyagraha pandal, alleging that the campus was being used to mobilise students as part of a larger political campaign following the last assembly election.