The CPI-M led Government in Kerala is facing one of the severest criminal charges in its eight-year history since 2016.

The stampede at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Saturday night, resulting in the loss of four students’ lives, is attributed to the irresponsibility of the institution’s authorities and the Marxist Government’s disregard for the laws of the land, according to the Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC).

This organisation in the State acts as whistleblowers against irregularities and corruption in higher learning centers.

The SUCC has demanded the immediate removal of P G Sankaran, CUSAT Vice Chancellor from the position and suspension of  Youth Welfare Board director PK Baby.

“The mishap occurred during the musical evening held in violation of the standing orders of Kerala High Court. The court had issued strong directives to the university authorities that events like musical fest should be held only under the direct supervision of the faculty members. No faculty members were present during the event and they reached the spot after hours of the disaster,” RS Sasikumar, chairman, SUCC, told The Pioneer.

Sasikumar pointed out that the court directive came in the aftermath of an engineering college student’s incident in 2015 during the Onam Festival.

Sasikumar and M Shajar Khan, secretary, who are two respected academicians in academic world said the Marxist Government had subverted the selection and appointment of all faculty and non-teaching staff members in universities in the State.

“PK Baby, a card-holding member of the CPI-M was appointed as director, Youth Welfare Board on a pay scale specified by the UGC. Baby was only a non-teaching staff member and was appointed to the post based on the directive of a powerful Minister in the Government led by Pinarayi Vijayan. He does not have the mandatory qualifications. The Government should put him under suspension with immediate effect. But what the Vijayan Government has done is to appoint Baby in the committee constituted to probe the details of the mishap. This is like making an accused to sit as judge in a case against him,” said Sasikumar and Shajar.

Baby, a ministerial staff was designated as Assistant Professor and was being paid `2 lakh per month as salary. “The Save University Campaign Committee is submitting memorandums to the Governor, who is the Chancellor of the university to put Baby under suspension and order a judicial probe into the mishap,” said Sasikumar.

Meanwhile students in CUSAT told The Pioneer that the institution has become a breeding ground to recruit and train future Marxist leaders.

“Those who do not subscribe to the Marxist ideology are tormented and harassed by leaders of SFI, the student wing of the CPI-M,” said a post graduate.

Sasikumar said Governor Arif Mohammed Khan stands  vindicated in his stance not to toe the CPI-M Government line with regard to the affairs in the university. “The Vice-Chancellor of CUSAT too is a Marxist camp follower like other Vice Chancellors in the State. No action has been taken against the Vice Chancellor of a university in the State for instigating delegates to physically assault the Governor during the inaugural session of a national conference,” said Sasikumar.

It may be remembered that a woman Assistant Professor in Kerala University was abused and assaulted by a SFI leader for refusing to sign fabricated cash vouchers sometime back.

The lady teacher was locked in her cabin and threatened by the said leader who later on was nominated as a member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). Though he is seen regularly in the company of the Chief Minister, police has not taken him into custody despite the intervention of the Governor.