Varsity’s ‘anti-women’ order sparks protest in Kerala assembly
10 July 2014 10:07 PM GMT
Recent restrictions imposed on women meeting University of Calicut vice-chancellor in his chamber on Wednesday rocked the Kerala assembly with CPI-M led LDF members, especially women, demanding action against the official for his ‘anti-women’ stand and forcing the government to disagree with the varsity’s controversial action. The matter was raised as a submission by CPIM’s KK Lathika, who wanted the government to sack Vice-Chancellor M Abdul Salam for his ‘anti-women’ and ‘anti-democratic’ steps.
She sought to know whether the 28 June university circular placing restrictions on women visiting the vice-chancellor was issued with the knowledge of the Education Department. Initially, education minister PK Abdu Rabb said the varsity imposed several restrictions in meeting the V-C due to security reasons. There was no complete ban on women visiting vice-chancellor and there were only restrictions, he added.
Irked by the minister’s reply, LDF members stood up and some of them moved towards the Well of the House, protesting the ‘indifferent’ attitude of minister to the issue. The protest forced Rabb to relent from his earlier stand and he said he did not agree with it and the government would ‘examine and take necessary action’.
The circular issued by the university on 28 June had said the vice-chancellor had been facing threat from ‘some trained and organised women group’ and so the entry of visitors in groups and also women visitors to his chamber should be restricted ‘as far as possible’. It directed security officer to restrict entry of visitors to the administrative block, where the V-C’s chamber is located, with time schedule and only persons with pass may be permitted. The issue had triggered protest by women employees, lecturers and students of the university demanding withdrawal of the order which they said was ‘discriminatory’ and against gender justice.
She sought to know whether the 28 June university circular placing restrictions on women visiting the vice-chancellor was issued with the knowledge of the Education Department. Initially, education minister PK Abdu Rabb said the varsity imposed several restrictions in meeting the V-C due to security reasons. There was no complete ban on women visiting vice-chancellor and there were only restrictions, he added.
Irked by the minister’s reply, LDF members stood up and some of them moved towards the Well of the House, protesting the ‘indifferent’ attitude of minister to the issue. The protest forced Rabb to relent from his earlier stand and he said he did not agree with it and the government would ‘examine and take necessary action’.
The circular issued by the university on 28 June had said the vice-chancellor had been facing threat from ‘some trained and organised women group’ and so the entry of visitors in groups and also women visitors to his chamber should be restricted ‘as far as possible’. It directed security officer to restrict entry of visitors to the administrative block, where the V-C’s chamber is located, with time schedule and only persons with pass may be permitted. The issue had triggered protest by women employees, lecturers and students of the university demanding withdrawal of the order which they said was ‘discriminatory’ and against gender justice.
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