Kochi: The Cochin University of Science and Technology on Saturday ordered a probe into "disfigurement" of the grass mermaid in its campus, which has triggered protests from cultural circles in Kerala.
University Vice-Chancellor Dr Ramachandran Thekkedath told a news agency that he had ordered a probe on the incident leading
to pruning of the "breasts" of the sculpture at CUSAT campus.
The probe, to be conducted by Pro Vice-Chancellor Godfrey
Louis, would be submitted in a week. "I need to get inputs. I
have asked the Pro Vice-Chancellor to enquire," he said.
The V-C said he was not in station when the sculpture
`Sagara Kanyaka`, the highlight of the garden in front of the
campus for the past several years, was recently pruned.
The sculpture was pruned after some members of the Cochin
University Women`s Association had complained to varsity
authorities that they found it "vulgar".
Women employees had also cited the Supreme Court orders
on display of vulgarity at work places.
The issue had sparked off strong reaction from Kerala
cultural circles, with many describing the act as part of
"moral policing".
State education minister M A Baby had yesterday ordered a
probe into the matter.
Kanhai Kunhiraman, who sculpted the famous statue of
`Yakshi` at Malampuzha, has also described as unfortunate the
disfigurement of the grass sculpture.
PTI
