Kochi, 02 Nov (H.S.):

The Syndicate of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady has decided to reinstate 12 out of the 16 students who were placed under suspension following recent campus protests. The decision was taken during a Syndicate meeting convened in the wake of escalating demonstrations led by the Students' Federation of India (SFI).

However, the governing body declined to revoke the suspension of four students—Shyamjith, Shraddha, K.V. Abhijith, and Archana. The university authority stated that the action against these four students remains in effect because they violated their initial suspension orders by entering the university campus premises during the penalty period.

As part of the conditions for reinstatement, the 12 students are required to submit a formal written apology to the university. Additionally, the Syndicate has instructed that each student must furnish an affidavit pledging that they will not participate in future campus agitations or disruptive activities.

The decision came despite opposition from the Vice-Chancellor, who maintained that disciplinary action against the students should not be withdrawn. The widespread agitation had initially begun on July 22, when SFI launched protests raising key demands, including basic campus infrastructure, regular drinking water supply, filling teacher vacancies, and resolving persistent delays in issuing degree certificates.

The confrontation intensified on August 13 when 16 students staged a symbolic protest by performing a mock theatrical play featuring a coffin in front of the university library. Consequently, the university administration placed all 16 students under a 60-day suspension.

Demanding the complete revocation of the suspensions and requesting permission for affected students to sit for their upcoming examinations, SFI organized continuous demonstrations and announced an indefinite hunger strike outside the campus. The Syndicate's partial relief decision was eventually finalized amidst this persistent pressure from student organizations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman