Kerala - Kottayam   

Restrain SFI, Chandy tells CPI(M)

Staff Reporter

Says consensus the only way out of the self-financing colleges imbroglio

KOTTAYAM: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy has asked the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) to restrain Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists from taking out marches to the High Court and district courts in protest against the judgment striking down crucial provisions of the professional colleges Act.

He told presspersons here on Saturday that judgments need not always be acceptable to all.

But in a democracy, there were judicial and other established ways to counter a judgment, if it was not acceptable to one.

"If they [CPI-M] do not restrain the SFI activists, it will be the beginning of a dark chapter in Indian democracy," Mr. Chandy said.

It would be deemed a symbol of the fascist tendencies in that party.Referring to the jubilant marches taken out by the CPI(M) in response to the Supreme Court judgment on the Jayakrishnan murder case and the proposed marches against the verdict in the professional colleges Act case, Mr. Chandy said that while such actions were acceptable in response to Government decisions, it was not proper with regard to judicial decisions.

"It will only adversely affect the free and fair functioning of the judiciary," he said.

Mr. Chandy criticised the Chief Minister for accusing the Opposition for the setback suffered in the case.

The Opposition, while participating in the discussions in the House, had proposed amendments to all the controversial provisions now struck down by the court.

He said the United Democratic Front would cooperate with the Government if an all-party meeting was called to discuss the self-financing colleges issue. "But it is up to the Government to take the initiative in finding a lasting solution to the problem," he said.

Consensus was the only way out of the impasse in the issue, Mr. Chandy said. By accepting the 50:50 policy, it would still be possible for the Government to resolve it amicably. The equal Government and managements quotas would ensure social justice and safeguard the interests of managements.

He said appeal at a higher court or new legislation would not help. Already, lakhs of rupees had been spent, with no result.

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Restrain SFI, Chandy tells CPI(M)

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