Police can take action against students who disrupt classes in name of strikes: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday permitted police to take action against students who disrupt classes in colleges and universities in the name of strikes. Justice V Chitambaresh permitted police to remove such students on complaints by Principals or Heads of Departments.

The High Court was dealing with a complaint filed by two students of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), complaining of loss of working days due to agitations in the name of students' rights and righteousness.

The judge said that disciplinary proceedings can also be initiated against erring students who disrupt academic activities. He also said no student has any right to obstruct other eligible students from entering classrooms or college under the guise of strike.

The Court observed that though higher education is not a fundamental right, it is indisputably a human right as a part of one's development. Students who choose to participate in a strike or dharna may walk out of the classroom at the risk of their attendance without disrupting ongoing classes attended by willing students, he said.

Teachers can take classes even if there is one student in the classroom, the Court said.