The Kerala High Court has issued a stay on the Mahatma Gandhi University (MG University) Vice Chancellor’s directive that demanded the university students’ union to return ₹2.81 lakh. This sum was previously allocated for organizing a national conference, which became a subject of controversy due to its ‘cockroach-themed’ promotional posters. The case, formally titled Mahatma Gandhi University Students Union v Mahatma Gandhi University & ors, highlights the ongoing tensions between university administration and student bodies.
The controversy erupted when MG University objected to the posters, alleging that they bore political connotations, potentially violating the university’s prohibition against political activities funded by the institution. In response to these objections, the university’s Vice Chancellor issued an order on August 1, instructing the students’ union to refund the amount allocated for the conference.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas granted a stay on the Vice Chancellor’s order, describing it as seemingly arbitrary. The court has called for responses from the university, its Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and the Director of the University’s Directorate of Students Welfare (DSW) to further investigate the matter. The next hearing is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
The disputed posters were part of the promotion for a four-day national conference titled ‘Discourses Beyond Boundaries: Sustainable Future in an Age of Conflict,’ which took place from August 3 to August 6 on the university campus. Initially, the university had sanctioned ₹3.75 lakh for the event, releasing ₹2.81 lakh, which constituted 75% of the amount as an advance. The remaining funds were to be disbursed upon submission of bills and vouchers.
However, the DSW’s director issued a notice objecting to the posters, asserting that they breached the Mahatma Gandhi University Students’ Code of Conduct Rules, 2005, by incorporating political elements. The university alleged that the event’s promotional materials featured a virtual mascot named ‘Cockroach Janta Party,’ which was interpreted as having political overtones.
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In defense, the students’ union argued that the cockroach images were merely symbols of resistance. The petition highlighted that the contentious posters featured a cockroach standing defiantly before a boot and another holding back a large curtain, none of which were associated with any recognized political party’s name, symbol, or slogan.
Despite the union’s explanations, the Vice Chancellor proceeded to revoke the financial support and demanded a refund of the advance. Consequently, the conference continued without university funding.
Challenging the refund order, the students’ union and its General Secretary approached the High Court. They argued that the Mahatma Gandhi University Act and the Students’ Code of Conduct Rules did not empower the Vice Chancellor to reclaim an advance already sanctioned for an approved university event. The union’s plea contended that the Vice Chancellor’s order violated principles of natural justice and infringed on the students’ right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.
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The petitioners were represented by Advocates KS Arunkumar, Amrutha KP, Vijay Sankar VH, Jasal MJ, MN Maya, Jerin Joseph, Deepa Varma K, and Ahsan Najeeb.
