Congress's student outfit in the state, Kerala Students Union (KSU), hit out at the university for including the CPM leader's autobiography, alleging it was politicising the syllabus.
"There is a political agenda in this move," KSU alleged, and said the student outfit would protest against it.
AdvertisementCondemning the university's decision, "Save University Campaign" said the book should be withdrawn as the former minister was facing an investigation for excessive expenditure in purchasing PPE kits during the Covid-19 pandemic when she was the health minister in the previous LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan.
"The book of a former minister who is under probe is being taught along with the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi," the organisation said in a statement, adding that they have moved a complaint before the Chancellor.
The book was included in the syllabus as part of a revision in curriculum that the university undertook for 27 subjects -- an exercise that was last done nine years ago.
Curriculum committee Convenor Pramod Vellachal, who is also an associate professor at MG College in Iritty, said the book was included in the life narrative section for the PG course among the five electives provided by the university.
"This section involves the works of Ambedkar, Nalini Jameela, Mayilamma, C K Janu, T J Joseph, and sister Jesme among many others. As a person who has been very much involved in the lives of the people of Kannur, we have included the book of Shailaja teacher (as she is also known) in the curriculum," Mr Vellachal told PTI.
He added that the ad-hoc panel was constituted after the board of studies was dissolved by an order of the high court.
"The board of studies was not reconstituted despite approaching the chancellor multiple times. Finally, the VC constituted an ad-hoc committee for the curriculum revision," Mr Vellachal said.
A few months ago, when the English version of the book was released, AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh had hailed it, saying it was a fascinating read.
"KK Shailaja, who became world famous for the manner in which she tackled the COVID pandemic in Kerala, has just come out with her memoirs. It is a fascinating read," he had written in a social media post on May 9.
"The story she relates of how as Chief Minister, AK Antony — stalwart Congressman — responded to her request in 2004 to help her become a full-time CPM worker is quite astonishing but it reflects Antony and Kerala politics at its noblest best, something the current BJP leadership will never understand," he had written.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
