Inquiry commission to probe students’ complaints

T’puram: Save University College Campaign Committee, an initiative of academics and activists to free University College from the clutches of violence and autocracy, appointed an independent people’s Inquiry commission to probe complaints by students and teachers against the college authorities and the students’ union.
Retired high court judge, Justice P K Shamsuddin will head the commission, in which Professor S Varghese (former principal of University College and former member, state human rights commission), V Thankamani (former head, department of biotechnology, University of Kerala) and J Sandhya (former member, child rights commission) will be members.Professor A G George (former professor, University College) will be the member secretary.
The campaign committee came into existence following the suicide attempt by a female student inside the college campus two weeks ago.
The student had alleged the pressure from SFI unit to attend protests and the inaction by college management on complaints against SFI’s atrocities as reasons for her attempting the extreme step. Later, she applied for a transfer to SN College, Varkala.
“The atmosphere inside the college should change. As college authorities are unable to initiate corrective measures, public and media need to take up the role. There should be a campaign to bring thorough changes in the ways the college function,” said professor Moly Mersaline, retired principal of University College.
The commission will study complaints about the college and collect evidence for two months and finalize a report. The terms of reference for enquiry will be published within a week. Public, parents, teachers, retired teachers, former students and students can depose before the commission and provide evidence.
The commission will also be open to suggestions and evidence from anonymous sources. Those who wish to reach out can mail the commission at enquirycommissionunicollege@gmail.com or call 9447102040.