The Kerala High Court on Thursday allowed the current Kerala University Students’ Union to continue till its one-year term expires and also allowed it to hold art festivals as scheduled. The court also ordered the university to release funds for the festivals.
The interim order came on the basis of an application by students’ union president Ashwin S. Nair, who argued that university rules allow the students’ body to continue for 12 months from the time it was constituted and that the period ends on February 27.
Mr Nair went to court following an order issued by the university’s vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, which dissolved the current student union and reinstated a new one, as well as denying permission to hold an arts festival that had already been approved.
Appearing for Mr. Nair, advocate TB Hood said the petition did not challenge the VC’s order and only demanded that the students’ union be allowed to complete its tenure and hold art festivals as planned.
The VC’s decision led to the Students Federation of India staging a strong protest against Mr. Kunnummal in the university.
The court asked the lawyer to direct the university to come up with instructions regarding the suit on February 16 and issue a notice to the VC’s special messenger.
Acting on the Supreme Court’s interim order, activists of the Students’ Federation of India staged a demonstration in front of the VC’s residence.
Published – 12 February 2026 10:00 PM IST