Kochi, 02 Nov (H.S.): Sixteen suspended students of the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit at Kalady will approach the Kerala High Court alleging that university authorities have failed to implement an order permitting them to appear for examinations beginning November 4.

The students, who are activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), plan to file a contempt petition against Vice-Chancellor C.C. Thomas. They allege that the university continues to deny them permission to sit for the examinations despite a single bench directing the authorities to accept their examination fees and allow their participation.

The dispute comes as the students’ suspension, imposed following protests against the Vice-Chancellor, has entered its 62nd day. With the examinations approaching, the confrontation has intensified over whether the disciplinary action should prevent the students from taking their papers.

According to the students, the single bench had made it clear that they should be allowed to write the examinations even while the disciplinary proceedings remained in force. They contend that the university’s refusal to implement the directive undermines the relief granted by the court.

Meanwhile, Thomas has filed an appeal challenging the single bench’s order. The university’s contention is that the suspended students do not have the attendance required to qualify for the examinations.

The SFI has accused the Vice-Chancellor of using the examination eligibility issue to retaliate against students who participated in protests. It maintains that the university should comply with the court’s directive and permit the affected students to appear for their papers.

The competing legal moves have brought the dispute back before the High Court, with the students seeking enforcement of the earlier order and the Vice-Chancellor challenging it.

The immediate issue is whether the 16 students will be permitted to take the examinations scheduled to begin on November 4 while the suspension remains in force.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman