Published Aug 19, 2026 | 2:38 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 19, 2026 | 3:09 PM
Mohanan Kunnummal
Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has triggered a fresh controversy by referring to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) while addressing a student gathering at Thiruvananthapuram on August 18.
Speaking at the ‘Vijayatharakam’ programme, organised to honour students who excelled in competitive examinations in Thiruvananthapuram’s Kazhakoottam, Kunnummal asked the students, “Do you know what some people call students like you…cockroaches!” in apparent reference to the CJP.
Kunnummal then asked the students, “Are you cockroaches?”
He continued, “if not, then what are you? You are lions, is it not?”
This was met with silence by the students, prompting him to repeat the question, “Are you cockroaches or lions? Say it loud.”
Nobody answered as Kunnummal kept asking the question repeatedly.
“Are you in doubt? Those who think they are not cockroaches, say it loud and firm,” he said and was again met with silence by the gathering.
Then one or two students answered “no”, but he kept pressing for other students to answer, but in vain.
Then he concluded, saying students should aspire to become “lions and the embodiment of Goddess Durga and not cockroaches.”
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who inaugurated the event and spoke after Kunnummal, referred to his speech and said he did not understand in what context he mentioned “cockroaches.”
“Our Dr Mohanan was referring to some cockroaches; I don’t know in what context… are we all cockroaches? Cockroaches are very commonly found..Can I become a lion? Maybe that is what he was trying to say,” the Governor said.
The Governor presented awards to students who excelled in competitive examinations and other fields. The event was also attended by BJP MLA V. Muraleedharan.
Kunnummal’s cockroach remark and the students’ refusal to answer him have sparked a debate, especially in the context of the younger generation’s approach towards the BJP and the Hindutva politics, despite the party’s continuous attempts to woo them.
The event came amid mounting criticism against Kunnummal for attending an event organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on August 15.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
