Mahatma Gandhi University teachers call for action

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mahatma Gandhi University Teachers Association has demanded stringent action against the criminals, who brutally assaulted assistant Professor Harikumar S of the School of Letters last Friday as he was about to leave the venue of the drama festival, organized by the University Students Union. “The attack reflects a sharp deterioration of academic environment in the state and the burgeoning intolerance bordering on physical violence. The association condemns such attacks on teachers in strongest terms”, said the association secretary, Dr Aravindakumar.

The association staged a demonstration and a sit-in, in front of the University office on Monday. The association president, Dr. K.M. Krishnan, Dr. Krishnadas, member of syndicate and the AKPCTA secretary, Dr. R. Pragash, addressed the dharna. Dr Kumar recalled that Dr Harikumar had continued to work with the injuries he suffered lest it should disrupt the university union-sponsored festival. This came to the notice of other teachers soon, and the association took up the matter with the vice-chancellor for immediate action.

Dr Kumar said Dr. Sheena Shukkur, pro-Vice chancellor in charge of V-C, had agreed to take up the matter with authorities. The association urged the University authorities to provide protection to teachers and students on the campus, frequently threatened with such unprovoked attacks. Dr Harikumar, director of student services, also serves as the cultural coordinator for the inter-university cultural programmes, sponsored by the Association of Indian Universities.