Syndicate member criticises union election reforms in Calicut varsity

A pro-Left Syndicate member in the University of Calicut has claimed that the proposal to revamp the rules related to college union election was approved at a recent meeting without detailed discussions.

K. Mohamed Haneefa, the Syndicate member, said in a statement on Thursday (September 24, 2026) that the report of a panel that studied the proposed reforms to the election rules was presented as an “out-of-agenda” item without being circulated to members in advance. The report was objected to by some members who sought adequate time for examination and discussion, he said.

Mr. Haneefa also criticised the move to form a Calicut University Research Scholars’ Union for all full-time PhD research scholars. He said that more clarity was required on how their academic and social links with the student community of the host institution would be maintained while they were being brought under a separate university-level union. The geographical distribution of research scholars across the university campus and affiliated colleges also should be considered while designing a representative structure that can ensure effective participation and communication, he added.