Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohan Kunnummel has instructed Varisity Students Service Director and University Students Union Chairman to remove the name ‘Intifada’ which they gave for the Youth Festival. The very name should be removed from the posters, social media and brochures. Earlier VC had sought explanation from the University Students Union about the naming. VC’s latest order is in the wake of the unsatisfactory explanation he received.
VC’s intervention was in the wake of several complaints he received and a petition moved before the Kerala High Court by an ABVP worker from Nilamel NSS College, Kollam district.
‘Intifada’ is the name Palestinian Hamas terrorists have given to their terrorist activities against Israel. In another words, it is linked with the Palestine-Israel confrontations. VC’s bold order should be viewed in this light. Order says that Festival should only be named ‘Kerala University Youth Festival’.
VC’s order reads, any action which could hurt the feelings and sentiments of the students, teachers, general public should be avoided. The term ‘Intifada’ is contradictory to the country’s foreign policy. The likely litigations in this regard will jeopardise the reputation of the university.
SFI has brought forward the caption “Arts’ Protest Against Invasions” to the ‘Intifada’ Arts Festival. Students complained to the VC pointing out that ‘Intifada’ is the term Hamas uses to call for attack against Israel. They had requested the VC to avoid the term, used by the terrorists, for the Varsity Youth Festival.
Earlier Registrar, based on the VC’s instruction, had sought the report from Students Service Director Dr. Siddiq. He replied that it only means ‘Rising Resistance’ and the university does not interfere in the naming of the Festival and the resolution they raise.
As soon as the Registrar handed over the Student Service Director’s report to the VC, he (VC) ordered to withdraw the Logo ‘Intifada’.
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