Rediff.com columnist Ambassador T P Sreenivasan attacked in Kerala

Marxist 'students' attack former diplomat.

Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, former diplomat, vice-chairman and executive head of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Rediff.com columnist, was on Friday, January 29, attacked by Students Federation of India activists who were protesting against the 'commercialising of higher education' near Thiruvananthapuram.

The incident occurred near the venue of the Global Education meet at the Leela Convention Centre in Kovalam.

Activists of the SFI, the 'students' wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, had gathered in front of the conference venue protesting against the meet, alleging that it was meant for further commercialising the higher education sector and allowing the entry of foreign universities.

A tense situation prevailed in the area since Friday morning.

Ambassador Sreenivasan had reportedly come out to greet delegates when the attack occurred.

Video footage showed the diplomat being pushed around by the protestors, one of whom slapped him. The ambassador then fell down on the road.

A heavy posse of police personnel was deployed at the venue following the incident.

The assailants were later arrested and removed from the venue, the police said.

CPI-M district secretary Kadakampally Surendran alleged that the government was using the police against 'students'.

When pointed out that an SFI activist had hit Ambassador Sreenivasan, Surendran apologised on the 'students' behalf.

"I apologise on behalf of the 'students'. This should not have happened," he told reporters.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who was to inaugurate the meet, cancelled it.

Ambassador Sreenivasan told reporters that the meet's only objective was to improve the educational sector in Kerala.

"The world is witnessing revolutionary changes in the educational sector. Why should Kerala alone be like a frog in the well?" he asked.

He criticised CPI-M Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan's reported remark that he (Ambassador Sreenivasan) had been 'brought to Kerala to commercialise the higher education sector.'

"Just as the Marxist party had objected to computers when they were introduced, they are now opposing the meet," Ambassador Sreenivasan said.

"The attack was carried out purposefully. They were fully aware about me," he said, adding that the police remained mere spectators.

"Peaceful protests will be allowed," state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said, "but no one will be allowed to take law into their hands."

Describing the attack on Ambassador Sreenivasan as an "unfortunate" incident, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President V M Sudheeran said it was "very wrong."