Kerala marks row: CPM justifies action against journalist

The student leader alleged that though he did not appear for the third semester examination of the post-graduate programme in Archaeology and Material Studies, college authorities forged a result that showed he had passed.

Following his complaint, police Friday registered a case against college examination coordinator Vinod Kumar, principal V S Joy, Kerala Students Union state chief Alotious Xavier, Maharaja’s College student C A Fazil, and Asianet reporter Akhila Nandakumar.

The journalist had reported on the incident and a protest by the KSU — which is the Congress’s student wing — at the college against the SFI leader.

Referring to the case, Govindan said: “The probe should cover all those who have been part of the conspiracy. It has to be seen that the reporter was also part of the conspiracy. Media should have the approach of the media only. If they continue to engage in an anti-government, anti-SFI campaign claiming to be media, they will continue to face cases,’’ he said.

The case registered against the journalists has sparked protests in Kerala. Congress legislator and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said Chief Minister PInarayi Vijayan has adopted the style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The state government is suppressing dissenting voices. The case against journalists and others is a surprising one. The reaction of CPI(M) state secretary smacks of arrogance,” he said.

BJP state president K Surendran said the case is an infringement of media freedom. “Why is CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who keeps speaking about freedom of expression and media freedom, silent on the Kerala incident? Vijayan’s trying to jail those who question him. The news against the SFI leader was not a fabricated one. Police are being used as a weapon of media oppression,’’ he said.