‘Grave’ for Principal kicks up a controversy

Incident on Government Victoria College campus

April 07, 2016 12:00 am | Updated 07:10 am IST - Palakkad:

Kerala, Palakkad, 06/04/2016.  A view of the Victoria college at Palakkad. On March 31, a symbolic grave was found in front of the main building of the college and the inscriptions on it said the grave was made for principal N Sarasu, who was retiring after teaching in the college for 23 years. A wreath was seen over the grave which was decorated with yellow and pink flowers. Photo: K. K. Mustafah.

Kerala, Palakkad, 06/04/2016. A view of the Victoria college at Palakkad. On March 31, a symbolic grave was found in front of the main building of the college and the inscriptions on it said the grave was made for principal N Sarasu, who was retiring after teaching in the college for 23 years. A wreath was seen over the grave which was decorated with yellow and pink flowers. Photo: K. K. Mustafah.

N. Sarasu, former Principal of the Government Victoria College, on Wednesday said activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) were responsible for the ‘grave’ that appeared on the campus on the day of her retirement. She has approached the police seeking action.

A symbolic grave appeared in front of the main building of the college on March 31 and the inscriptions on it said the grave was dug for Principal N. Sarasu, who was retiring after 23 years of service. A wreath was placed on the grave, decorated with yellow and pink flowers. A death note was found next to it with scathing allegations against Ms. Sarasu, whose certain actions as Principal had provoked SFI activists and teachers of the pro-CPI(M) service forum.

She told The Hindu the SFI activists dug the grave to insult her. “They were targeting me ever since I assumed the office of the Principal and initiated a set of reforms. By doing so, they tried to make my retiring day as my day of death. It is intolerance of a different kind,” she said.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists in the college have extended support to the retired Principal and staged protests condemning the incident. A section of teachers have also come out in support of Ms. Sarasu.

SFI leaders said the incident was the handiwork of its opponents. “We had differences with the retired Principal. But we believe in expressing our differences in a democratic manner. Defaming somebody is not our culture. The rivals knew that we had some issues with her, so any act against her will point a finger at us,” said SFI district secretary Jayadevan.

The police have registered cases against eight SFI activists. The Association of Kerala Government College Teachers has denied of having any role in the incident.

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