Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam Higher Education Minister Roji M John on Wednesday said that VCs should not make comments to "whitewash" the Centre's image on the NEET paper leak protests as it results in their own image becoming "ugly".
John was referring to the "cockroach" remarks made by Kerala University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Mohanan Kunnummal a day ago at an event to honour students who excelled in various exams and which was also attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Speaking at the event, Kunnummal asked the students in the audience whether they were cockroaches or lions, but except for a couple of students, none responded even though he repeated the query several times.
Responding to reporters' queries regarding the VC's remarks, the minister said that the government stand was that they should not take part in programmes of political parties.
"It is unacceptable to do so. VCs should also not make comments aimed at whitewashing the image of the Centre in connection with the NEET paper leak protests in Delhi as it results in their own image becoming ugly,"John said.
On the recent protest at Kalady University, he said that a complaint was received regarding VC Ciza Thomas being allegedly assaulted and a case has been registered in connection with that.
"Some arrests have been made and the police is investigating the matter. There will be a fair and accurate probe and appropriate action will be taken," he said.
He further said that everyone saw the kind of protest method adopted by the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the opposition CPI(M), and termed is as "uncivilised." "It was a totally uncivilised protest against a woman VC by making her coffin. A civilised society cannot accept it. Since it has become a controversy and invited severe criticism from various quarters, they are trying to justify it," the minister said.
The SFI on August 13 protested on the university campus over the alleged lack of facilities there.
SFI activists had allegedly clashed with the police and Thomas had claimed that she was manhandled by some of the protestors. Subsequently, around four activists of the student organisation were arrested and remanded.