{
  "id": 8819847,
  "title": "No move to ban politics at Kerala University: Minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/no-move-to-ban-politics-at-kerala-university-minister",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T02:25:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-move-to-ban-politics-at-kerala-university-minister-101789931848851.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kerala's higher education minister, Roji M John, has stated that there are no plans to ban student politics at the Kerala University. This comes after a draft code on student conduct was discussed at a meeting of the institute's syndicate. The minister clarified that the draft, forwarded by the legal department, was simply a proposal for discussion and not a final decision.\n\nJohn dismissed opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan's claims that the draft would restrict student union activities. He reiterated the government's stance that student politics should be encouraged on campuses. The draft code had recommended restrictions on various activities of political student unions, including sloganeering, poster-making, dharnas, and fund solicitation. It also proposed departmental action against violators, with the potential for suspension and fines for students involved in campus violence.\n\nJohn emphasized the importance of student politics in the democratic process. He pointed out that as students turn 18, they gain the right to vote and participate in democracy, which includes deciding the politics of their educational campus. Universities, according to John, are not just places for teaching and issuing degrees; they should also be spaces for discussing politics, understanding it, and participating in the democratic process.\n\nThe draft code was prompted by the high court's request for universities to create guidelines for student conduct following the murder of SFI leader Abhimanyu. The high court had approved the 2005 MG University draft code as a model. This draft, which was under discussion after the high court's repeated directions, would undergo amendments before being submitted to the Syndicate for final approval.",
  "summary": "Keralam higher education minister Roji M John said on Sunday that no decision has been taken to ban student politics at Kerala University, days after a draft code on conduct of students at the university came up for discussion at a meeting of the institute’s syndicate",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala University's minister Roji M John denies plans to ban student politics.",
    "Draft code on student conduct proposed for discussion, not final decision.",
    "Student politics encouraged, emphasizing democratic participation on campuses."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The clarification by the minister ensures that student politics will continue to be allowed at Kerala University, aligning with the government's stance of encouraging political engagement on campuses.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}