Kerala Governor demands nine V-Cs
to tender their resignations by today
Sarath Babu George
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
In an unprecedented
move, Governor Arif Mo-
hammed Khan directed
the Vice-Chancellors of
nine universities in Kerala
to tender their resignations
by 11.30 a.m. on Monday.
Mr. Khan, the Chancel-
lor of varsities, issued the
order after the Supreme
Court annulled the ap-
pointment of M.S. Rajasree
as Vice-Chancellor of the
APJ Abdul Kalam Techno-
logical University (KTU).
In a communique, the
Governor alleged violation
of University Grants Com-
mission (UGC) norms in
cise his informed judg-
ment. Instead, the commit-
tees arbitrarily proposed a
single name for the top
academic posts, thereby
hobbling the Chancellor’s
right to use his discretion.
‘Majoritarian agenda’
The Governor’s order sur-
prised the Left Democratic
Front government and har-
Arif Mohammed Khan dened its resolve to resist
what it viewed as the Raj
the Vice-Chancellor ap- Bhavan’s attempt to im-
pointment process. The pose the RSS Hindu major-
Raj Bhavan said the search itarian agenda on Kerala’s
committees had failed to higher education sector.
submit a panel of three to The political executive
five candidates to the has reportedly counselled
Chancellor based on which the V-Cs to ignore the or-
the Governor could exer- der, setting the ground for
a protracted legal battle
with far-reaching constitu-
tional ramifications.
At a joint press confe-
rence here, M.V. Govindan
and Kanam Rajendran,
State secretaries of the CPI
(M) and CPI, respectively,
hinted at possible legisla-
tion to remove the Gover-
nor as Chancellor of varsi-
ties. They said the State
government would move a
review petition against the
order revoking KTU’s Vice-
Chancellor appointment.
Secondly, it would drum
up public resistance
against Mr. Khan’s “tyran-
nical bid” and hold a rally
in front of the Raj Bhavan
on November 15.