Kannur University withdraws controversial anti-national monitoring committee order

The Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Kannur University has withdrawn a contentious order forming a special committee to monitor university programmes for alleged anti-national content following strong opposition from syndicate members and protest by the Students Federation of India (SFI).

Tension erupted outside the university administration office on Tuesday during a syndicate meeting, with the SFI activists staging a protest holding banners that read, ”this is not a branch, this is a university.” The protesters attempted to barge into the office, triggering a brief commotion.

7-member panel

The majority of syndicate members voiced opposition to Vice-Chancellor K.K. Saju’s directive prompting the V-C to announce its withdrawal during the meeting. The order forming a seven-member committee tasked with vetting programmes to ensure that it contained no anti-national content had earlier been issued by the Registrar.

The committee included university officials and heads of departments from various campuses including V.A. Wilson, V. Reeja, K. Preethi, Johnson Alex, N.K. Deepak and K.K. Kunhammad.

The order stirred controversy amid allegations that it was a response to recent university programmes featuring speakers critical of the Union government. Sangh Parivar organisations had reportedly lodged complaints, prompting speculation that the move was influenced by political pressure. The Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Governor, who is also the Chancellor, was believed to have issued the order based on these complaints.

Published - June 05, 2025 06:48 pm IST