Cockroach poster row: Kerala’s MG University ups the ante, moves to withdraw funds for national conference
Mahatma Gandhi University is threatening to withdraw funding for a student conference due to the use of 'cockroach' posters, which the administration deems political. The student union refuses to remove the posters, citing freedom of expression.
Why it matters
This reflects ongoing tensions regarding political expression and institutional control within Indian academic environments.
The standoff between interim Vice-Chancellor D. Mavoothu and Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) Students’ Union over cockroach-themed posters for its national conference has escalated, with the varsity initiating proceedings to withdraw the financial assistance sanctioned for the event.
As part of the move, the Registrar has issued a notice warning the SFI-led university union that the financial assistance sanctioned for the conference, scheduled to be held on the campus from August 3 to 6, would be withdrawn. The university had granted administrative sanction of ₹3.75 lakh for organising the conference and released ₹2.81 lakh as an advance.
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