Kerala University draft code seeks to curb student political activities, sparking protests

Kerala University’s syndicate has reviewed a draft Students' Code of Conduct that would severely restrict political activity on its campuses and affiliated colleges. The draft bans protests, dharnas, recruitment drives, poster-making, fundraising, events with political figures, and online campaigning, and gives department heads and college principals authority to suspend students. Violations could attract fines of ₹5,000 for students, ₹10,000 for organisations, and up to ₹1 lakh for repeated breaches, with possible one-year suspensions for violent acts and further legal action under national statutes.

The Kerala University Employees' Union, aligned with the Left, argues the measures undermine democratic rights and plans to protest if enacted. Registrar Resmi R clarified that the document is only a draft modeled on a similar code at MG University and has not been finalized. Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan denounced the proposal as an attempt to silence student voices and warned of strong public backlash.