Growing support for efforts to revive college’s rich legacy

‘Over politicisation dented image of institution’

Troublemakers at Ernakulam Maharaja’s College seem to be getting increasingly isolated amidst a growing support for reviving the rich heritage and legacy of one of the premier higher educational institutions in the State.

The college council remains unanimous in its decision to act tough against those trying to violate the peaceful atmosphere on the campus by engaging in unlawful activities. A decision to expel six students involved in the chair-burning case reflected the consensus that had evolved against such incidents among teachers cutting across political lines.

Principal N.L. Beena continues to enjoy majority support among teachers in her efforts to carry out expansion plans of the college even though she was criticised by a section of faculty members on her alleged remarks against students. The government resolve to extend unconditional support for academic and infrastructural improvement of the institution gave a boost to those trying to revive the fortunes of the college by utilising its autonomous status. Teachers at the college had also condemned the seizure of weapons from the temporary hostel facility for students at the staff quarters on the campus last week.

Double standards

However, faculty members said on condition of anonymity that over politicisation had dented the image of the institution despite having some of the best faculty members and departments under the Mahatma Gandhi University.

They also questioned the double standards of those opposing the autonomy status of the college while maintaining silence on nearby aided autonomous colleges.

A Syndicate panel that probed alleged irregularities in autonomous colleges had given a clean chit to Maharaja’s College, especially for the efficiency of its admission and examination procedures. Those opposing the autonomy of Maharaja’s College had failed to even raise a small protest against the shortcomings found by the panel in the aided autonomous colleges, fearing backlash from the managements concerned, they said.

The growing incidents of violence and tension on the campus had forced people like M.K. Sanoo, renowned critic, to react. A former faculty member, he said that weapons had no place on campuses. Political parties should oppose such acts, he said.