Pinarayi Vijayan accuses former Governor and VC of conspiracy in Sanskrit University row

Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan has levelled a serious allegation against Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Siza Thomas and former Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar of hatching a conspiracy against SFI activists. According to a report by The Hindu, this controversy is linked to a complaint regarding a mock funeral of the university VC.

Addressing a relay hunger strike by suspended SFI activists at the main campus of SSUS near Kalady on Friday, Pinarayi Vijayan spoke. He alleged that the Vice-Chancellor did not initially make any complaint regarding the mock funeral, but a false complaint was filed several days later. He further stated that former Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who always implements the wishes of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, played a major role in fabricating the "lie" that students had performed a mock funeral of the VC.

Pinarayi Vijayan also targeted Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu. He alleged that neither of these leaders made any effort to resolve the indefinite hunger strike by the suspended students. Vijayan added that these leaders frequently claim their involvement in campus politics, but in reality, they have stood against the students.

On the other hand, the SFI held a protest called 'Occupy Sanskrit University' on Friday. The SFI state leadership has demanded that the suspension of their 16 activists should be unconditionally revoked. SFI state secretary P. M. Arsho made it clear that the students would not offer any kind of apology as suggested by the university syndicate.

Meanwhile, three activists, including SFI unit president Archana P. S., who had been on a relay hunger strike for the last 12 days, were shifted to the hospital by the police after their health deteriorated. Doctors advised this after conducting their health check-ups. Nevertheless, the SFI leadership has announced that the relay hunger strike will continue until their demands are met.

The participation of women was also seen in this controversy. A meeting was held at the protest site on Wednesday, where the mothers of the protesting students and members of the All India Democratic Women's Association expressed solidarity with the relay hunger strike. They urged the university authorities to withdraw the disciplinary action against the students without delay and allow them to write the semester examinations.