The controversial poster that carries the image of a cockroach which was erected at the entrance of MG University campus in Kottayam.
| Photo Credit: VISHNU PRATHAP
The standoff between interim Vice-Chancellor D. Mavoothu and Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) Students’ Union over cockroach-themed posters for its national conference has escalated, with the varsity initiating proceedings to withdraw the financial assistance sanctioned for the event.
As part of the move, the Registrar has issued a notice warning the SFI-led university union that the financial assistance sanctioned for the conference, scheduled to be held on the campus from August 3 to 6, would be withdrawn. The university had granted administrative sanction of ₹3.75 lakh for organising the conference and released ₹2.81 lakh as an advance.
In its communication, the Registrar said the union’s actions amounted to a violation of the university’s order prohibiting political content at events financed with university funds, as well as the Mahatma Gandhi University Students’ Code of Conduct Rules, 2005 and the Mahatma Gandhi University Code of Ethics and Conduct. The notice further warned that unless the violations were remedied, the university would be compelled to recover the advance.
The controversy centres on publicity material for the conference. One of the posters depicts a cockroach standing defiantly before a boot, an image that has gained prominence as a symbol of resistance during the recent student protests at New Delhi.
The varsity subsequently ordered the removal of the posters and banners, maintaining that the cockroach image carried political overtones and contravened an earlier circular barring political content at programmes conducted with university funds.
Union defiant
The university union, however, has refused to comply and insists that it will not accept the order. It has also accused the university administration of seeking to curb students’ freedom of expression.
“The campaign poster under question does not contain the name, election symbol or flag of any political party, the image of any political leader, or any message supporting or opposing a political party. Nor does it promote the policies or ideology of any recognised political party. The image used in the poster is merely a symbolic artistic representation of a contemporary issue. On that basis alone, it cannot, in law, be construed as a ‘political activity’,” said M. Abhinav, chairman of the union, in his written reply to the Registrar.
‘Explanation not satisfactory’
The varsity authorities, meanwhile, maintained that the explanation furnished by the students’ union was not satisfactory and decided to proceed with the withdrawal of the functioning. “The union is free to seek legal recourse against the action, if necessary,” a university official said.
The newly reconstituted university Syndicate, which comprises members aligned with the Congress-led United Democratic Front, has adopted a wait-and-watch approach on the issue. “The matter has been discussed informally among Syndicate members, but the students have not approached us with any complaint so far. We will decide on intervention only if a formal complaint is received,” a Syndicate member said.
Earlier, an online promotional campaign for the conference also featured the images of cockroach alongside photographs that became emblematic of the student-led agitation over the alleged examination paper leaks. After the university objected to the online posters, the union erected a huge banner carrying the cockroach image at the entrance to the campus.
Published – July 30, 2026 02:09 pm IST
