KLA agitation: Troubles for Lakshmi Nair, CPM far from over

Students of Kerala Law Academy (KLA) called off their agitation that put the state government under tremendous pressure for 29 days. But the troubles for the government, the KLA and its former principal Lakshmi Nair are far from over. 
 

The agreement at the meeting chaired by Education Minister on Wednesday stopped short of ensuring the dismissal of Lakshmi Nair. But the KLA will appoint a new principal who will fulfill all university norms. 
 

Troubles for Lakshmi Nair and KLA 

•  The case against Lakshmi Nair under  SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act will remain a big headache. Various political parties and Dalit organisations have demanded her arrest in the case. The student wing of the CPI is planning to approach the High Court against the lethargy of the police in taking action against her in the case. 
•  The controversies have raised question about the LLB degree of Lakshmi Nair. 
•  The University affiliation of the KLA is under the scanner.  There are allegations that the Academy had never applied for affiliation. If so, the certificates of those who studied at the KLA in the past would also come under scrutiny. 

 
The questions before the government and CPM. 

•  Why is it going slow on the SC/ST atrocities case against Lakshmi Nair? 
•  Will the government take action against Academy over the misuse of land assigned to it? The Revenue Department has recommended demolition of the illegal construction at the entrance of the KLA. The report of the Revenue Principal Secretary had found that over half of the land assigned to the academy is lying underutilised and suggested that the government may take it back. Now the ball is in the court of the Pinarayi Vijayan ministry to take a call on that. 
•  The KLA controversy has created bad blood between the CPM and the CPI. Any decision favouring the KLA is likely to create problems between the partners. 
•  The CPM cannot ignore the fact that the BJP and its student wing ABVP reaped political dividends from the agitation. 

• Kerala Law Academy
• Lakshmi Nair
• CPM
• Pinarayi Vijayan