Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan is all set to sweep dust accumulated in the realm of academics. Today (October 23, 2022) Governor asked nine VCs in the state to resign and make sure that the resignation letters reach Raj Bhavan before 1130am tomorrow, October 24. Order for such a mass resignation of VCs is first ever one in in the history.
Nine VCs belong to Calicut University, Dr. A.P.J. Adbdul Kalam Technological University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kannur University, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala University of Health Sciences Medical, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit and Thuchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University. VC of Kerala University is supposed to retire tomorrow. Therefore, he is also supposed to tender his resignation on October 24.
The Chancellors’ tweet is as follows:
“Upholding the verdict of Hon’ble Supreme Court I Civil Appeal Nos. 7634-7635 of 2022 (SLP (c) Nos. 21108-21109 of 2021), Hon’ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan has directed Vice Chancellors of 9 varsities in Kerala to ender resignation: PRO, Kerala Raj Bhavan”. The tweet accompanied by a list of varsities. The tweet said, Governor also directed that the resignations reach him by 1130am on Monday, October 24.
The order comes close on heels of the Supreme Court order quashing the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananthapuram. Order said, it is bad in law and contrary to UGC regulations. The Supreme Court Bench consisting of Justices M.R. Shah and C.T. Ravikumar said that as per UGC, the Search Committee constituted by the state should have recommended a panel of not less than three suitable nominees from among the eminent personalities in the field of engineering science, to the Governor, that is, the Chancellor. But, the Search Committee sent only one name, Dr. Rajasree M.S.
Chancellor learns that five vice chancellors were appointed on the basis of ‘single name panel’ and in the case of the remaining VCs, there were no academicians in the Search Committee.
In short, Chancellor maintains that his actions are in conformity with the UGC regulations and Supreme court order.
Meanwhile, ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has decided to carry out agitations against the Governor. They are staging a dharna in front of Raj Bhavan on November 15, 2022. Reports suggest that CPM Supremo and Chief Minister PInarayi Vijayan is likely to address the dharna. CPM and LDF allege that Governor Arif Mohammed Khan implements RSS agenda in the state. They cannot digest Governor’s meeting with RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagavat last month in Thrissur, Kerala, at the residence of an RSS worker. When CPM criticized that meeting, Governor had shot back that he has been having good relations with RSS since 1986 and he is proud of it. He had added that he would meet Dr. Bhagavat again when he gets chance.
Actually this new step of Sri Khan is just doing his duty. He is safeguarding the universities as per UGC regulations. This is the right step from the side of a right thinking Governor, that is, Chancellor.
