Governor orders V-Cs to enforce hostel discipline, decides to form panel to curb campus violence

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed Vice-Chancellors to strictly adhere to hostel rules and enforce discipline on campuses.

The instruction was issued during a meeting with the V-Cs at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday. The interaction, which followed a book release and the launch of MOOC courses designed by Calicut University, was organised to address concerns related to alleged incidents of student unrest in university hostels.

The meeting also decided to constitute a committee chaired by Kerala University V-C in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal to recommend suggestions to “contain violence on university and academic campuses.”

Prior to the meeting, the V-Cs had been asked to present their views on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry headed by former Kerala High Court judge A. Hariprasad. The commission was constituted after the death of veterinary student Sidharthan J.S. at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in 2024.

The Governor also directed the V-Cs to observe the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ by organising competitions, cultural events and other activities. The instruction has been issued on the basis of directions by the Union government, according to official sources.