Sanskrit varsity V-C appeals against order permitting suspended students to write exams

The Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, has moved the Kerala High Court seeking to set aside a Single Bench order which allowed suspended students of the university to write semester examinations

V-C Ciza Thomas, along with the University Syndicate, challenged a Single Bench order to accept the examination fee from the students and provisionally permit them to participate in the examinations, scheduled on November 4.

Meanwhile, the students have filed a contempt of court petition against the University, alleging non-compliance with the Single Bench order directing them to pay the examination fees. They alleged that they were not allowed to enter the University when they went to register for the examinations. They further stated that the University had not opened the online portal for registration either.

The students were under suspension pending an inquiry for allegedly staging a mock cremation of the V-C, manhandling and attempting to damage her vehicle. An enquiry committee formed by the University Syndicate had found the students guilty of the alleged offences and recommended action.

The students had denied the allegations, claiming that their protest was to highlight their 18-point charter of demands, which included the appointment of required faculty members and the implementation of basic facilities for students across various departments. The students had filed a plea before the Single Bench challenging the suspension order and sought a direction to allow them to appear for the examinations, provisionally.

The University’s petition stated that the Single Bench had essentially allowed the students’ petition as an interim order. They further alleged that the University was not granted an opportunity to object to the Single Bench order.

The petitioners contended that the last date to register for the examination had expired and pointed out that the students had not registered for the examination within the prescribed time. The students did not have the required attendance or the internal assessment marks to sit for the examinations. The Single Bench had not stayed the suspension; thus, letting the students enter the campus would adversely impact the enquiry proceedings, the petitioners stated.

They also argued that if the students were permitted to appear for the examinations, the arrangements already made by the University would have to be revised, disrupting the entire process. Further, an order which permitted suspended students to participate in examinations while disciplinary proceedings were pending would undermine the University’s authority.