Kerala to examine varsity diktat against women visitors

The Kerala government will examine a directive restricting women visitors to the Calicut university vice chancellor's office, apparently because he's being targetted by vested interests, the state assembly was informed Wednesday.

The controversial order was issued last month by the university's deputy registrar. It said the step was being taken in the light of reliable information that certain vested interests planned to target vice chancellor M.Abdul Salam to tarnish his image.

The order also said there was information that an assault on Salam by trained and organised women groups or some anti-social elements was being planned.

However, Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb Wednesday said he does not subscribe to the decision.

"The state government will now decide on what needs to be done on the order that was issued," said Rabb.

Besides groups of women, the order also says that entry of visitors in groups to the chamber of the vice chancellor should be restricted as far as possible.