Kerala High Court Stays MG University VC's Order on Conference Grant

• The Kerala High Court has stayed a Vice-Chancellor's order to refund conference grant funds.
• The dispute arose over 'cockroach-themed' publicity posters released by the students' union for a national conference.
• Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas has opined that the Vice-Chancellor's order appears to be arbitrary.
• The case will be heard next on September 10, 2026.

The court has also sought a response in the matter from the University, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and the Director of the University's Directorate of Students Welfare (DSW).

The Kerala High Court has intervened in a dispute between Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) and its students' union over the use of 'cockroach-themed' publicity posters for a national conference. The university had initially granted administrative sanction for ₹3.75 lakh to cover the expenses of the four-day event, titled 'Discourses beyond boundaries: Sustainable future in an age of conflict.' However, after the release of the posters, the university objected to their content, alleging that they carried political overtones. In response, the students' union moved the High Court, challenging the Vice-Chancellor's directive to refund ₹2.81 lakh, which had been released as an advance for the conference.

The dispute has led to a stay on the Vice-Chancellor's order by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala High Court. The court has also sought a response from the university, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and the Director of the Directorate of Students Welfare (DSW) in the matter. This development highlights the importance of careful consideration when reviewing and approving student event expenditures. Lawyers advising universities or students' unions should note that the stay on the order underscores the need for a nuanced approach to such matters.

The Kerala High Court's intervention in this matter has significant implications for the management of university events and the role of student unions. The court's decision to stay the Vice-Chancellor's order suggests that the university's actions may have been arbitrary, raising questions about the balance between administrative authority and student autonomy. As the case continues to unfold, it will be essential to examine the broader implications for higher education in India.

Lawyers advising universities or students' unions should note that the Kerala High Court has stayed a Vice-Chancellor's order to refund conference grant funds, highlighting the importance of careful consideration when reviewing and approving student event expenditures.

Source: Original reporting via The New Indian Express