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Bharat Mata row: Kerala minister Bindu accuses Kerala University VC of misusing powers in registrar's suspension

Bharat Mata row: Kerala minister Bindu accuses Kerala University VC of misusing powers in registrar's suspension

The Hindu9 hours ago
The Kerala Higher Education Minister R. Bindu on Thursday alleged that the Kerala University Vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal had misused his authority by suspending the Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar for his action, cancelling permission for a programme attended by Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the senate hall on June 25. 'Anil Kumar can continue in office as only the university syndicate has the right to take action against the registrar,' she told reporters.
She also claimed that VC had gone beyond his powers in suspending the registrar. The minister said the registrar had not violated any rule by cancelling the programme for displaying a picture of 'Bharat Mata', which was a religious symbol used by the RSS, at the venue.
Also Read: Bharat Mata row: Kerala University V-C suspends Registrar, sparks political row and legal showdown
The minister alleged that it was the Governor who violated the rules by attending a programme cancelled by the registrar of the university. The Governor was also trying to infiltrate the RSS symbol into the Raj Bhavan, she charged. The state General Education Minister V. Sivankutty also strongly criticised the VC, accusing him of "acting like a goon" of the Governor.
Also Read: Bharat Mata row: Kerala Raj Bhavan expresses displeasure over 'security lapse' during SFI-DYFI marches
'It was not the registrar, but the Governor who showed disrespect to the statutes of the university by attending a programme cancelled by the registrar,' Sivankutty said. Mr. Sivankutty said the powers of the Governor were limited under the Constitution. Even the Supreme Court had recently suggested that Governors should not exceed their authority, he said. The minister alleged that the practice of using Governors for challenging governments that did not get along with the Centre has become a custom only after the BJP assumed power.
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