Published Nov 14, 2026 | 12:05 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2026 | 12:05 PM
Journalists described the move as particularly objectionable for an institution bearing Mahatma Gandhi’s name.
In a move that has triggered strong protests from journalists and the state government, the Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) in Keralam has made prior permission from the Vice-Chancellor mandatory for media personnel seeking to enter the campus for news coverage.
A circular issued by the University Registrar on 13 November stipulates that journalists must obtain the Vice-Chancellor’s approval before visiting the campus to gather news.
The directive has drawn sharp criticism from the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), which termed the restrictions anti-democratic and an attempt to curb press freedom.
The journalists’ body said the order amounted to an effort to prevent the media from carrying out its duties freely, while observing that the directive was highly unusual.
Describing the move as particularly objectionable for an institution bearing Mahatma Gandhi’s name, the union said restricting journalists’ access raised questions about the university’s willingness to remain accountable to the public.
It pointed out that a university, which is expected to encourage democratic values, open debate and independent thinking, should not impose arbitrary restrictions on journalists.
Higher Education Minister Roji M. John also came out strongly against the directive, calling it unconstitutional and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
In a social media post on Saturday, the minister said the freedom of the press was an essential part of the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Any restriction that prevented journalists from reporting on a public institution, he said, would undermine transparency and the public’s right to information.
He argued that universities should serve as centres of free thought and democratic discussion, and that imposing restrictions on media personnel in such an environment reflected an authoritarian approach.
The minister warned that attempts to weaken press freedom would face strong opposition.
Roji M. John made it clear that the government would not allow such measures to be enforced at Mahatma Gandhi University or any other higher education institution in the state.
He called on the university authorities to revoke the circular without delay.
Meanwhile, university authorities offered a different account of the circumstances leading to the decision.
According to them, the directive followed an earlier order by Vice-Chancellor D. Mavuth restricting Syndicate members from interacting with the media on campus.
Because several members continued speaking to journalists despite the restriction, the university moved to regulate the entry of media personnel altogether, they claimed.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
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