The union apparently had a problem with why a guy who was not a student of the college was found sitting with a girl-student in a classroom.
The Students Federation of India (SFI-CPI(M) student wing) has drawn severe criticism on social media, after its members assaulted a couple of their female college-mates and their male friend on the University College campus in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
Even traditional Left supporters have come down heavily on the SFI for its high-handed moralistic approach in the case. According to a joint complaint filed by Asmitha Kabeer, Soorya Gayathri and their friend TS Jijesh with the Cantonment police, the unprovoked assault took place, when the trio had come to the college campus on Thursday evening to watch a theatre play.
To justify their violent reaction, SFI leaders told the media that while Jijesh (who was not a student of the college) was sitting inside a classroom with Ashmita, he reportedly misbehaved with a girl who questioned the couple.
Online trolls did not spare even SFI state president Jaick C Thomas who tried to justify the SFI response. Participating in a news-channel discussion on television, Jaick had wanted to know “what Jijesh was doing inside the classroom with the girl?”
Netizens were obviously outraged at the implied moralistic undertones of the comment. Malayalam filmmaker Aashiq Abu -a Left supporter- took to Facebook to appeal to the SFI leadership not to support such acts.
“Considering outsiders as enemies and anti-socials, and attacking them is sheer barbarism…..What happened at University College was a ‘Sanghi’ model attack. If that was done by a two-rupee member (SFI membership fee is Rs.2) they should not be allowed to carry the flag any more. Police should take action,” wrote Aashiq.
One of the complainants, Ashmitha had earlier told The News Minute that the incident happened while they were watching the play, and not in some classroom.