Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala withdraws funding for conference by students’ union over cockroach-themed poster

The days-long standoff between interim Vice-Chancellor D. Mavoothu and the Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) students’ union over cockroach-themed publicity material for its national conference culminated on Saturday with the university withdrawing the financial assistance sanctioned for the event.

In an order issued on Saturday, the Vice-Chancellor directed that the advance of ₹2.81 lakh released for organising the national conference, scheduled to be held on the university campus from August 3 to 6, be refunded to the University Fund. The university had earlier accorded administrative sanction of ₹3.75 lakh for the conference, releasing 75% of the amount in advance. The balance ₹93,750 was to be released on submission of bills and vouchers.

The order said the students’ union had failed to comply with directions to remove publicity material displayed on the campus in violation of an earlier circular. A report submitted by the Director of the Department of Student Services (DSW), it added, found that the publicity material carried political content. In view of these findings, the Vice-Chancellor directed the DSW Director to secure the immediate refund of the advance.

At the same time, the order allowed the conference to go ahead as scheduled, noting that the preparations had reached an advanced stage, but stipulated that no university funds should be used for the event.

The controversy centres on a campaign poster depicting a cockroach standing defiantly before a boot. The image has emerged as a symbol of resistance during recent student protests in New Delhi and was prominently used by the students’ union in its publicity campaign.

Violated order

The university maintained that the cockroach image carried political overtones and violated its circular prohibiting political content in programmes financed with university funds. It subsequently ordered the removal of the posters and banners from the campus. The dispute was further escalated after the Registrar issued a notice stating that the union’s actions violated the university’s directive on political content as well as the Mahatma Gandhi University Students’ Code of Conduct Rules, 2005, and the Mahatma Gandhi University Code of Ethics and Conduct.

The students’ union, however, refused to comply, alleging that the administration was attempting to curb students’ freedom of expression. It argued that the poster did not feature the name, flag or election symbol of any political party, the image of any political leader, or any message supporting or opposing a political party.

The controversy first surfaced after the union’s online promotional campaign featured the cockroach motif alongside images associated with the recent student agitation over the alleged examination paper leak. After objecting to the online campaign, the university directed the removal of the material. In response, the students’ union erected a large banner carrying the cockroach image at the entrance of the campus.