Kerala University imposes blanket ban on campus politics under new code of conduct
Kerala University has imposed a blanket ban on all political activities on its campus and affiliated colleges through a new code of conduct, introducing strict disciplinary mechanisms, swift inquiry timelines, and severe financial liabilities. The regulations prohibit rallies, strikes, sloganeering, fund mobilization, and using social media for political unrest, with penalties ranging from suspension to dismissal and fines up to ₹1,00,000.
Why it matters
This ban significantly curtails student freedom of expression and political engagement in a region known for active student politics, potentially impacting democratic discourse and student activism in educational institutions across India.
Kerala University has imposed a blanket ban on political activities on its campus and affiliated colleges by framing regulations that introduce strict disciplinary mechanisms, swift inquiry timelines and severe financial liabilities on political organisations.
The Syndicate has framed the Kerala University (Students’ Code of Conduct) Regulations, 2026, which prohibits active student politics. The restrictions bar organising rallies, strikes, dharnas, gheraos and sloganeering inside classrooms, offices or other places on campuses.
Students are banned from mobilising memberships, soliciting funds, defacing walls with posters or graffiti, and using social media platforms to coordinate political unrest. The guidelines also restrict hosting seminars or debates featuring celebrities and other people with political affiliations or links to activities “having controversial or anti-national nature”.
However, academic discussions, research, debates or classroom activities supervised by faculty are not considered as political activity, provided they do not involve political mobilisation.
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