TP Srinivasan reacts to Kerala Budget 2022∙ Private Universities, Foreign Education and Intolerance

2024-02-06 08:47:08

Kottayam ∙ “Isn’t it the extreme of intolerance to attack if you have an idea?” What do you say to those who come to beat even those who express their ideas?”- asks TP Sreenivasan, former vice-chairman of Higher Education Council and foreign affairs expert. He was reacting to the budget proposals that Kerala has opened its doors to private universities and foreign university campuses. Dubai-based TP Srinivasan told ‘Manorama Online’ that he is happy that the stance of the Left has changed, but we have lost 15 years.

T.P., who was the chairman of the Council of Higher Education and an expert in foreign diplomacy. Srinivasan is beaten up by SFI activists (File photo: Manorama)

“When I came to know about the decision in the Kerala budget, I laughed at the incident in 2016 when I was beaten up by SFI activists. Isn’t it the extreme of intolerance to attack just for an idea? I didn’t do anything that day. All that was said was that there was a need for change. What to say to those who come to beat even those who speak their mind? It was very sad. Glad that stance has changed. But it took 15 years and we lost that much time. When private universities come, there is no reason to worry about the education of common people. There will be strict frameworks in terms of fees, scholarships and reservations.

Private participation in the higher education sector and overseas universities were mentioned as part of the general plan. During his tenure as Vice President of Higher Education Council, he issued 16 reports for education reform. But it became controversial when the left parties opposed it. There were various obstacles and delays. Nothing was accepted except the proposal of autonomous colleges. Every state in India has autonomous colleges. It was absent only in Kerala.

As per our recommendation, the UGC later granted autonomy to certain colleges in Kerala. That was a big achievement at the time. The rest of the reports with many progressive recommendations are in the hands of the government. As far as foreign universities are concerned, it is not the Kerala government’s responsibility to bring them. Central government should take decision and action. Our proposal was not to bring foreign universities here, but to cooperate with them. The bill to bring a foreign university has been pending in the Indian Parliament for 5 years.

TP Srinivasan. (Image∙Manorama)

There are many private universities and vested interests in the country and it is alleged that the passage of the bill is delayed. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that foreign universities will be established within 10 years. The Left Party decided to change its policy at a time when the idea that the education scene in Kerala was not good in general was active. It is only that the state government put aside the political opposition and nothing else has been done so far. They say they are still learning about it. So it is not possible to say how soon it will be implemented. The bill detailing all these matters has already been handed over to the government. If immediate implementation is the intention, the Bill can be passed in the Assembly by making the necessary changes.

The policies adopted in the field of higher education are welcome. At least 50,000 children will leave Kerala within this period. Those who remain in the country should also have the opportunity for good education. The vice chancellors also came forward against what I said that day. With the coming of private universities, there will be competition in the education sector in the state. There are no facilities in our universities and colleges. Changes require a large investment. With the arrival of the private sector, the investment problem will be solved.” – TP Srinivasan explained.

Finance Minister K.N. came to the assembly to present the state budget. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan congratulates Balagopal.

The state government says that foreign university campuses will be set up in the state as per UGC guidelines. This requires central approval. Funds will be collected through public donation in the higher education sector. Applications will be accepted after making the law to start private universities. A global conclave will be held in August to formulate higher education investment policy. Exemption in stamp duty, transfer duty, registration charge, single window clearance for all approvals, subsidized rates for electricity and water, tax exemption and investment subsidy on capital will also be part of the policy.

∙ On that day, he was knocked down

In January 2016, former Ambassador and Vice Chairman of Higher Education Council TP Srinivasan, who had come to Kovalam for the Global Education Conference, was beaten to death by the SFI district leader while the police were looking on. The meeting was chaired by Srinivasan after the Chief Minister and Education Minister were absent due to the blockade and was held two hours late. Alleging that the global education meet is a platform for education trade, the SFI members had started a blockade in front of the conference venue Kovalam Leela Hotel since the previous night. Believing that the strike would be peaceful, the police did little to remove them.

When Srinivasan came in the morning, the police advised him not to let the car pass and to leave on foot. According to this, he got out of the car and went near the protestors laughing, but the police who were there under the leadership of DCP: Sanjay Kumar did not provide protection. Meanwhile, someone called out and said that this is the Vice Chairman of the Higher Education Council. With that, the protesters surrounded him and pushed him on the back of his neck and head and stabbed him in the collar. He was also beaten on his back. Srinivasan was pushed and shoved and stabbed by some people with a flag pole. Somehow he got out of the commotion and was standing between the policemen when he was unexpectedly clapped.

SFI flag. Image: Rahul R. Pattam ∙ Manorama

SFI District Vice President JS Sarath, who was walking behind him, shouted something and hit him on the arm. The police did not even try to pick up Srinivasan who had fallen to the ground. The police did not even bother to arrest the district leader who slapped his face. After Srinivasan was beaten up, the police tried to move the protestors away, but they started pelting the protesters with stones and utensils from which they were eating. With this, the police burst tear gas shells, followed by lathi charge. More than 15 policemen including CI were injured in Kaller and 17 students were injured in Lathicharge.

∙ ‘Srinivasan Foreign Agent’

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was then a member of the CPM Politburo, responded that TP Srinivasan was an agent trying to implement foreign education in Kerala. He is not an educationist, just a former ambassador. Pinarayi said that real experts should have been appointed in the council. JS Sarath alias Kamini Sarath alias Kamini Sarath, who was accused in many criminal cases and the district vice president of SFI, was initially removed from the post, but was re-elected to the same position again. The then CPM District Secretary Katakampally Surendran said that the beating of TP Sreenivasan should not have happened and apologized. The then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that this incident brought shame to Kerala. He also pointed out that the SFIs beat up a person who is respected at the international level as well.