Lekshmi Nair behaved like 'Hitler': NCW member

Thiruvananthapuram: National Women's Commission member Sushma Sahu Monday visited the private law college here, which reopened after a month-long strike by students over alleged harassment by its Principal and recorded statements of students.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the students of the Kerala Law College Academy Law College, she alleged that Principal Lekshmi Nair had behaved like 'Hitler' and girls who speak with male students were portrayed in poor light.

She said action should be taken against her soon.

"It is unfortunate that principal of a college in Kerala had behaved like Hitler and had tried to harass not only students but their families," she said.

Later, she met city Police Commissioner and inquired about the progress of the case registered against the Principal.

She also requested for the copies of the FIR, Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said.

A BJP release later claimed Sahu, who is in the rank of central Additional Secretary, was denied vehicle, security and food, thus violating protocol rules.

The government had been informed of her visit on Feb 10 itself, the BJP said adding complaints would be filed with the DGP and Home secretary in this regard.

The college, located at nearby Peroorkkada, was opened today after the students called off the strike after the LDF government and college management agreed to the main demand of removing the Principal.

The government had also assured that a new principal would be appointed as per the guidelines of the university.

As the new Principal was yet to be appointed, the Vice-Principal holds the charge.

The college was in the eye of a storm over alleged irregularities in providing internal marks and harassment of students by Nair.

The students belonging to SFI, ABVP, KSU and AISF had launched the strike demanding removal of Nair. Congress and BJP joined the agitation later.

Meanwhile, students of a private engineering college in Pampady in Thrissur, where one of the students had allegedly committed suicide recently following alleged harassment by college authorities, began an indefinite agitation in front of the institution.

The students are demanding action against those responsible for the death of Jishnu, who hanged himself in hostel room.

Police have registered a case against five persons, including the chairman of the college, in connection with the student's death.