Students Federation of India (SFI) activists on Friday manhandled vice- chairman of the Kerala State Higher Education Council T.P. Sreenivasan on the sidelines of an educational event in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
In a video published by Asianet News, an SFI activist is clearly seen slapping Sreenivasan and later other supporters are seen pushing and shoving him as he was walking towards his car during the Global Education Meet in Kovalam.
Sreenivasan has alleged that the police on the spot did not react promptly to save him from the ordeal. It is evident from the video that as he was pushed out of the venue, there were no police officers who came to his rescue. The officers seem to have come only later.
Condemning the attack, Congress MLA Hibi Eden said, "This shows the fascist nature of the CPI(M) and SFI. It is an insult to Kerala's student politics that a man renowned all over the world for his contribution to education has been attacked on our soil."
The SFI activists were protesting against the event alleging that it was just a ruse to commercialize education and open up the education sector to more foreign players. Sreenivasan was attacked as he came out to recieve few guests. Following the assault, the former diplomat went to a resort in Kovalam.
Meanwhile, some leaders of the CPI (M), have tendered an apology for the unruly behaviour.
Sreenivasan is a former diplomat who has served in Indian missions in multiple nations including Austria, US, Kenya, Slovenia and several South Pacific Island States in his 37 years of service in the Indian Foreign Services. He has served as an Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Vienna and Governor for India of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.