Are you lions or cockroaches? Kerala VC's question to students, only one responds

Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal asked students at Vijayatharakam whether they were "lions or cockroaches", but the hall largely stayed silent. The viral visual has sparked discussion over the exchange and its timing.

In Short

• The question was posed at ‘Vijayatharakam’ event in Thiruvananthapuram
• Only one student responded while others remained silent despite repeated request
• Kunnummal urged students to speak loudly, calling them nation’s strength

A visual has sparked discussions and gone viral after Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal asked students at an event whether they were “lions or cockroaches”, with only one student responding.

Kunnummal made the remarks while addressing students at ‘Vijayatharakam’, an event organised in Thiruvananthapuram to honour students who excelled in competitive examinations.

During his speech, Kunnummal told the students that some people call people like them “cockroaches” but said they were not cockroaches. He described them as “lions” who are a strength to the nation.

“Are you lions or cockroaches?” Kunnummal asked the students. The crowd remained silent.

He then asked all those who were not cockroaches to say it loudly. However, the students continued to remain silent despite his repeated requests. Kunnummal then asked whether they were confused and pointed out that only one person had responded.

“Okay, one person said no. Everyone else also say it loudly,” he said, before again asking the students to respond. He added, “Okay, this isn’t loud enough. Didn’t you have lunch?”

Kunnummal continued to encourage the students, telling them that they were the strength of the nation. He also described them as “lions” and “Durga Devis”.

Governor Rajendra Arlekar and BJP MLA V Muraleedharan were also present on the stage during the event.

VC Mohanan Kunnummal's name has been in controversy in the past. Recently, Kunnummal triggered a fresh row after saying that people who oppose saying “Vande Mataram” “do not know who their mother is”.

Kunnummal made the remarks while addressing an RSS youth meet, ‘Sankalp 2026 Yuva Sangamam’, at Manivila in Thiruvananthapuram.

- Ends