Cockroaches, lions & foreign forces: Kerala VC’s bizarre youth warning erupts, comment sparks storm

Kerala University Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on August 22 defended his recent remarks comparing students to “cockroaches” and “lions”, claiming that foreign forces were deliberately trying to turn youngsters into drug addicts. Speaking about his comments at an event honouring students who excelled in competitive examinations, Kunnummal said he was only doing what a Vice Chancellor was expected to do. He explained that the young students present at the event did not respond when asked whether they were “cockroaches” because they had not understood the question. Kunnummal maintained that older students would have responded and reiterated his concerns about drug addiction among youngsters.