'Protest politically motivated', says CPM leader accused of threatening nursing students in Idukki

Idukki: CPM Idukki district secretary C V Varghese on Tuesday dismissed the allegations that he threatened protesting students of the Government Nursing College in Idukki, calling the agitation “politically motivated.”

He claimed that a section of parents was deliberately trying to relocate the college to another area. His response came after reports emerged that he had warned the protesting students, saying that his party “knew how to shut down the college.”

The students have been on an indefinite strike since October 16, demanding basic infrastructure, including hostel facilities at Painavu, as promised earlier by Minister Roshy Augustine.

A meeting convened to discuss the issue on October 18 was initially scheduled at the District Collector’s office but was later shifted to the CPM district office in Cheruthoni due to the Collector’s absence. It was attended by the college principal, two faculty members, the PTA president, two PTA executive members, and five student representatives.

During the meeting, Varghese allegedly told the participants: “No matter how long you protest, it’s useless. Our government brought this nursing college, and we can also close it down if we want.”

According to PTA executive member Rajimol, Varghese further said that if the students were dissatisfied with the current accommodation, the party would simply close the college. “When PTA members objected, he mocked them, saying that if the students continued protesting, they would lose two academic years anyway,” she said.

Rajimol also alleged that when she questioned the district secretary, he threatened her personally, asking, “Do you even know who I am?” She added that the principal and faculty members present at the meeting remained silent.

Defending himself, C V Varghese said his intention was to mediate and resolve the issue, but claimed that “certain teachers, students, and parents are working together to create trouble and shift the college elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose accused Varghese and the college principal of conspiring to shut down the institution. He described the principal as “a shadow of C V Varghese” and demanded immediate action from the Health Minister, saying she was unfit to continue in her position.

Following the incident, KSU State President Aloysius Xavier lodged a complaint with the State Police Chief, seeking legal action against Varghese for allegedly threatening the protesting students and parents. He also announced that KSU would stage protest marches and demonstrations across Kerala over the issue.