The Muslim Youth League (MYL) blocked Minister for Higher Education K.T. Jaleel at many places in the district on Saturday, leading to a police lathicharge here. Several MYL workers were injured in the police action.
The protesters waved black flags at Kondotty, Malappuram, Melmuri, Valanchery, Perinthattoor and Kundoor.
The police arrested three youngsters when they tried to prevent the Minister by waving black flags and shouting slogans at the municipal bus-stand auditorium here, where Dr. Jaleel inaugurated a government housing scheme named after Imbichi Bava.
Tension prevailed at Kondotty when a group of Democratic Youth Federation of India activists attempted to protect Dr. Jaleel against the MYL protesters.
Dr. Jaleel inaugurated the 82nd anniversary celebrations of the Temple Entry Proclamation at the Moyinkutty Vaidyar Mapila Kala Academy, Kondotty. The police intervention prevented a direct clash between the DYFI and MYL activists.
The police resorted to caning at Malappuram when the protesters blocked the Minister and threw eggs at his vehicle. MYL panchayat president Abbas Vadakkan and local leader Adnan were admitted to hospital with injuries.
MYL State secretary Mujeeb Kaderi said that they would intensify the agitation against Dr. Jaleel.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jaleel denied all allegations against him. Talking to newsmen here, the Minister said the allegations were politically motivated. “All the allegations are baseless and will be short-lived,” he said.
The allegations, he said, were being raised by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year.
Private varsity
Meanwhile, IUML leader K.N.A. Khader, MLA, has complained to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against Dr. Jaleel, accusing him of misusing power to help a private university to set up its campus at Kochi. Mr. Khader raised the allegation against Dr. Jaleel pointing out that the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines did not permit a private university to open a campus in a State where it does not have its main base.
Mr. Khader said the UGC guidelines permitted only Central and State universities to open a distant campus in another State. “The Department of Higher Education has granted permission to the Bangaluru-based private university to open its branch in Kochi. This is illegal,” he said.
Mr. Khader demanded that an investigation be conducted into the granting of permission for the private university.
