Shocked by the illegal activities of the student organisations on the Ernakulam Government Law College campus, A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday observed that if the government was unable to control such activities it should take appropriate steps to prevent the functioning of the student organisations on the campus.
Disposing of a writ petition against frequent strikes in the college and consequent disruption of classes, the Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A.M. Shaffique directed the government to take necessary steps to ensure that the functioning of the college was not affected.
The Judges observed that they were “shocked to see the sad state of affairs of the college”. A student organisation was preventing the proper functioning of the college despite directions issued by the court in various judgments, the court added.
The Bench added that any obstruction to the right to education was a clear violation of one’s fundamental right. Demonstrating political student unions would have to take into consideration the plight of other students studying in the same college.
The court pointed out that the Kerala Students Union (KSU) had conducted a strike on the college in protest against the suspension of a few students. The principal of the college was also gheraoed in her cabin.
The Bench observed that it was high time “such sort of hooliganism and vandalism are prevented”. Every citizen had the right to demonstrate or to conduct dharna, but it should be in a peaceful manner. It should not be inside the office room of an officer or around the table of the principal of a college. It should be conducted outside the premises of the officer or principal.
It was high time the student unions behaved in a more civilised manner while nurturing their political ideologies and activities. The student organisations should show a better degree of responsibility, care and circumspection in their approach, the court observed.
The petition was filed by N. Prakashan, a second semester student of the five year LLB courses.
