ALAPPUZHA: Following a protest by students, Cochin University of Science and Technology (

) vice-chancellor(VC) has given permission to North Indian students to conduct

at its

campus.

Dr Sunilkumar N, principal of the college told TOI that the V-C has given permission for Saraswati Puja in the campus on February 10 and 11. "Preparations for the Puja will be held on February 9. Students were conducting a strike in the college on Thursday after the VC denied permission. However, when I told him about the situation in the college today, VC agreed and students ended their strike. The students are very happy now," the principal said.

On January 25, the North Indian students approached Cusat’s Kuttanad college principal for conducting Saraswati Puja on February 9, 10 and 11. Following it, the college principal forwarded the letter to the vice-chancellor. However, on February 1, the he denied permission saying that it is a secular campus and the varsity couldn't allow religious activities on campus.

Following it, students started protesting at Kuttanad campus on Thursday. The puja was celebrated till last year inside the premises of Cusat, which is government-owned but autonomous.