Kerala University VC Defends ‘Cockroach’ Remark, Blames Foreign Forces for Targeting Youth

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has defended his controversial “cockroach” remarks, saying his comments were intended to caution young people against drug addiction and anti-social influences.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has defended his controversial “cockroach” remarks, saying his comments were intended to caution young people against drug addiction and anti-social influences. Kunnummal said his remarks were not intended to humiliate students. He claimed that some foreign forces were attempting to make youngsters vulnerable to drug addiction and other harmful influences. The Vice-Chancellor made the comments while responding to criticism over his recent remarks at a student felicitation programme in Thiruvananthapuram.

What Did Kerala University VC Say?

The controversy began when Kunnummal addressed students at the Vijayatharakam programme, organised to felicitate students who performed well in SSLC, Plus Two and competitive examinations. During his speech, the Vice-Chancellor asked the students whether they were “cockroaches” or “lions.” He repeated the question after receiving little or no response from the students. Kunnummal later explained that the students may not have understood the context of his question because of their young age. He also said that some students told him they had either not heard or understood what he was saying.

VC Says Foreign Forces Are Targeting Youngsters

While responding to the criticism, Kunnummal said that the reference to “cockroaches” was intended as a metaphor. According to the Vice-Chancellor, some foreign forces were attempting to make young people vulnerable by pushing them towards drug addiction and anti-social activities. He maintained that as a university administrator, it was his responsibility to warn students about such issues. Kunnummal's explanation came amid criticism over his remarks at the student felicitation event, where he had urged youngsters not to become “cockroaches” and instead become “lions.”

Why Did the ‘Cockroach’ Remark Create Controversy?

The remarks attracted criticism because they were made at an event organised to felicitate students for their academic achievements. Kunnummal had asked the students whether they were “cockroaches” or “lions”. Reports suggested that only one or two students responded to his question. It was also reported that he referred to the “Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)” during the speech. The incident subsequently triggered criticism, with questions being raised over the appropriateness of such remarks at a student felicitation programme. Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu also questioned the relevance of such politically charged statements by vice-chancellors.

Kunnummal Defends His Remarks

Kunnummal has maintained that vice-chancellors have a responsibility to address issues affecting young people. He argued that universities cannot remain silent on concerns such as drug addiction and the influence of anti-social elements. The Vice-Chancellor also questioned the timing of the criticism, suggesting that the controversy was emerging amid reports concerning dissenting voices from abroad and praise for a young man from the United States. He has continued to maintain that his comments were intended as a warning and not an attempt to insult students.

VC Responds to Criticism Over ‘Vande Mataram’ Remarks

Kunnummal also responded to criticism surrounding his earlier comments on Vande Mataram. He said that his remarks had been misunderstood and claimed that his intention was to convey that the earth should be respected. The Vice-Chancellor alleged that people with vested interests were attempting to malign him and create controversies around his statements. On allegations concerning his links with the RSS, Kunnummal said that the country was being governed by people who believed in RSS ideology and that they did not require his support.

SFI Protests Against Kerala University VC

Kunnummal has also faced criticism from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). The Vice-Chancellor criticised SFI activists for allegedly maligning him and referring to him as the mythical King Mahabali. He also objected to an incident in which an effigy of him was reportedly buried in front of the university. The protests have added another dimension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Vice-Chancellor.

What Is the Context of the ‘Cockroach’ Remark?

The “cockroach” comment was made during a programme organised to recognise students who had achieved good marks in SSLC, Plus Two and competitive examinations. Kunnummal has explained that he wanted to motivate the students to avoid becoming vulnerable to negative influences and instead emerge as confident and responsible individuals. However, the remarks drew criticism after the students reportedly did not respond to his question about whether they were “cockroaches” or “lions.” The Vice-Chancellor has since argued that the students may not have understood the context of the statement.

Kerala University VC’s Key Statements

The controversy surrounding Kunnummal's remarks can be summarised as follows:

• He defended his controversial “cockroach” remark.
• He said some foreign forces were targeting youngsters.
• He linked the reference to “cockroaches” with vulnerability to drug addiction and anti-social influences.
• The remarks were made during a student felicitation programme.
• He had asked students whether they were “cockroaches” or “lions.”
• He said the students may not have understood his question.
• Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu criticised the relevance of such remarks by vice-chancellors.
• Kunnummal also defended his comments concerning Vande Mataram and RSS.
• SFI has been protesting against the Vice-Chancellor.
• Kunnummal continues to maintain that his remarks were intended to warn and motivate young people.

Controversy Around Kerala University VC

The latest statements by Mohanan Kunnummal are likely to keep the controversy surrounding his remarks in focus. While the Vice-Chancellor maintains that the “cockroach” reference was intended to motivate students and warn them against drug addiction and negative influences, his critics have questioned the language and context of the remarks. The controversy has also brought his comments on “cockroach”, “lion”, Vande Mataram and RSS back into focus. For now, Kunnummal continues to defend his statements and maintains that they have been misunderstood and portrayed negatively.