The controversy erupted after Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal allegedly made derogatory remarks about student organization leaders during a program organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
Dr. Addressing the event, Kunnummal said many student organization leaders were drug addicts and urged them to undergo drug tests. His remarks drew sharp reactions from student groups, particularly the Students’ Federation of India (SFI).
In his speech, the vice chancellor said that we should not look at people who disrupt campuses and public spaces as a strength of the country.
“When we talk about Gen Z, we should not misunderstand them as a group that creates ruckus, throws stones at buses, burns tires on roads or gherao teachers. Such ‘themmadi’ (scumbags) are not the strength of the country,” he said.
He also claimed that certain student organizations and their “diggers” had earlier protested against him, adding that many of those who claimed to be student leaders were drug addicts.
“Many student organization leaders here are drug addicts. If they challenge me, I will ask them to undergo drug tests. Then we will know how many of them are addicts,” he urged.
These remarks drew strong criticism from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). SFÚ State Secretary Sanjeev PS, in a post on Facebook, condemned the Vice-Chancellor’s comments and accused him of repeatedly insulting students and student activists.
He claimed that Dr. Kunnummal is making “baseless allegations” against student organizations out of spite for opposing his alleged “communal and arbitrary actions” in the university. The SFI would intensify protests if such statements continued. Such remarks also undermined the dignity of the vice chancellor’s office, he added.
Published – 13 March 2026 21:40 IST
