Kerala Finance Minister Balagopal claims that CPM does recall paralyzed party worker Pushpan

The CPM, led by Finance Minister K N Balagopal, said on Wednesday that they remember Pushpan, the DYFI worker who was shot by police in 1994 at Koothuparamba while demonstrating against the allocation of government quota seats to college administrations. Pushpan was left paralyzed in the incident.

In response to inquiries from some Opposition members, he addressed whether the party had overlooked Pushpan in light of the budget plan that would have welcomed international institutions.

“Yes, we do remember Pushpan. Everybody took an active role in the movement, according to Balagopal.

The minister said that talks on accepting foreign colleges were called for by the budget plan. “A decision on policy has not yet been made. The minister said that changes and dialogue are needed in the education system.

He said that forty years ago, his party had opposed computers and tractors because some people may lose their employment.

“Now, the circumstances have altered. Children are traveling overseas for their schooling. The cost of an international education for a student is at least Rs 30 lakh. The budget plan aims to stop money from leaving the country,” he said.

Balagopal reminded the Opposition that a demonstration against computerization had been started at Calicut University by their late leader, Oommen Chandy.