KOCHI: The SN Trust has decided to impose a ban on political activity by student organisations in the colleges and other educational institutions under it as part of improving the academic standards. The use of mobile phones will also be brought under the scanner of the college officials.

SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan has said “meaningful restrictions” will be imposed on political activity from the academic year commencing from 2015-16. The use of mobile phones will also be restricted, he said.

“The primary aim of the students admitted in the college is academics. The unbridled political activism by certain groups of student organisations has marred the academic merits” he said. Natesan has pointed out that colleges coming under SN Trust and NSS failed to get approval for autonomous status due to the poor academic situation.

The mainstream student organisations in the state said they will oppose the decision. SFI State secretariat member Anish Mathew said in the name of banning political activity private managements are trying to keep the students under a regime of surveillance.

SFI is ready to join hands with other student bodies if they are ready for joint action on this issue, he added.

KSU Ernakulam district president Tito Antony said that elections to the student unions are permitted under the rules of the university. “We will oppose the attempts by the managements to scuttle the university rules”, he added.