M.K. Muneer, a former Minister and the sole UDF MLA in Kozhikode is planning to start an indefinite ‘satyagraha’ on July 19th to demand more Plus One batches for higher secondary schools in Kozhikode district.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader, who represents the Koduvally constituency, told Saturday’s media that there was currently a deficit of about 5,300 Plus One seats in Kozhikode. Dr. Muneer alleges this even after he had presented all these details in the Assembly and still government has not done anything about it.
This was after an official committee investigating the need for extra plus one courses gave their report regarding Malabar region where more than one hundred and twenty new temporary sections were authorised for Malappuram while eighteen were allowed for Kasaragod.
On the other hand, Dr. Muneer said that even though the official panel did not visit Kozhikode which is second after Malappuram having many students left out of plus one admissions; also, he added that those districts got only some other batches but no science streams.
Dr. Muneer accused the government of using financial constraints as an excuse to deprive North Kerala students of their rights: “The General Education Minister claimed that sanctioning additional batches would incur a burden of around ₹14 crore on the exchequer. This government has no problem in spending ₹18 crore on events such as ‘Keraleeyam’, though,” he pointed out.
The Deputy Director of Education at Kozhikode will be holding this ‘satyagraha.’ According to Dr. Muneer, activists from Congress’ affiliate groups and cultural organizations will attend together with allies from UDF (Indian Union Muslim League included).
