Thiruvananthapuram, First Published Dec 10, 2021, 8:10 PM IST
Thiruvananthapuram: Governor Arif Muhammed Khan strongly opposes government intervention in Kerala Universities. The Governor handed over a letter to the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing his dissatisfaction on various issues including the reappointment of the Kannur Vice Chancellor. In a stern letter, the governor said he would relinquish his sovereign position as chancellor of universities, remove the government if necessary, and take over the chancellorship from the chief minister himself. The governor has written to the government with unprecedented protests.
The governor first issued a letter of protest four days ago. The government replied that it would take the governor into confidence. However, the governor issued a second letter yesterday dismissing the government’s conciliatory response. Following this, the Finance Minister and the Chief Secretary went directly to the Raj Bhavan today. Despite all efforts to persuade, the governor did not yield. With this, the extraordinary crisis between the government and the governor continues.
In addition, the search committee did not give names for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of Kalady Sanskrit University. The search committee itself was eliminated because the list was not provided. Shortly afterwards, the government changed its name to VC. The Governor is deeply dissatisfied with this. The governor also accused the letter of being too political in universities.
This is the first time that the Vice Chancellor and the Pro Vice Chancellor are retiring at the same time at Kalady Sanskrit University. Calicut University Vice Chancellor Dr. MK Jayaraj has been given the additional charge of Vice Chancellor of the University of Sanskrit.
For the first time in the history of the state, a Vice-Chancellor is being re-appointed to the same university with an extended term. Kannur University Vice Chancellor Dr. Gopinath Raveendran submitted his re-appointment letter on the same day as his term expires.
A three-member search committee headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board was appointed for the appointment of Kannur VC. While considering the application for appointment, the committee itself canceled and reappointed the VC. The reappointment was approved by the governor on the recommendation of the government.
Complaints have been raised that the reappointment is in violation of the university rules that a person over 60 years of age should not be appointed as a VC. Priya Varghese, the wife of CPM leader KK Ragesh, has been appointed as an associate professor amid allegations that political pressure was behind her reappointment to the VC amid allegations that she acted in violation of university rules.
Last Updated Dec 10, 2021, 8:41 PM IST
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