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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala University V-C bars Registrar from entering campus
The interim Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University, Ciza Thomas, issued a formal notice prohibiting Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar from entering the university campus. The communication was issued on her last day in office as the Vice-Chancellor of the university on Tuesday. She officiated in the position in the absence of Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnumal, who rejoined duty on Wednesday after a brief visit to Russia. The notice apparently cites a Kerala High Court observation which stated that the legality of the Syndicate's decision to reinstate Dr. Kumar after suspension can be examined by appropriate authorities. The Vice-Chancellor also warned that any unauthorised entry would attract disciplinary action. The Syndicate had recently decided to revoke the Registrar's suspension, despite Dr. Thomas adjourning the meeting. The confrontation has led to an administrative deadlock, with the Vice-Chancellor assigning the responsibilities of the Registrar to Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen. However, the absence of a formal order prevented her from assuming the position. Following the Vice-Chancellor's notice, the Registrar submitted a leave request to Dr. Kunnummal, citing health issues. However, the Vice-Chancellor is learnt to have rejected the leave application, stating that a suspended officer's request for leave holds no relevance. The Vice-Chancellor has submitted a complaint to the State Police Chief, seeking action against Students Federation of India (SFI) activists responsible for violence and vandalism during their demonstration a day ago. It is alleged that the protest resulted in considerable damage to university property and disrupted administrative operations. The University engineering wing has been instructed to assess the damage caused during the agitation. The Cantonment police registered a case against 27 Students Federation of India (SFI) workers and 1,000 other identifiable persons in connection with the demonstration. SFI State secretary P.S. Sanjeev is the prime accused in the case. The activists, who were forcibly removed and arrested by the police, have been booked under non-bailable provisions, including those of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Kerala Police Act. Among these are provisions relating to the offence of assault or criminal force used to deter a public servant from performing their duty, criminal trespass, unlawful assembly, rioting, and causing damage to public property. As many as seven police officers sustained injuries in the clash.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Registrar row throws Kerala University into administrative chaos
Kerala University has plunged into an unprecedented administrative crisis as the bitter power struggle between the Syndicate and the Vice-Chancellor has led to the appointment of two Registrars, creating chaos and confusion within the institution. A day after the Syndicate reinstated Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar, interim Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas on Monday appointed Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen as Registrar through a separate order, as she remained firm on her stance that the Syndicate's decision was legally invalid. Dr. Kappen, who accepted the appointment, has been operating from a different room on campus. Joint Registrar replaced The crisis escalated further after the Vice-Chancellor replaced P. Harikumar as the Joint Registrar (Administration). Hema Anandan, Joint Registrar (Academic), has been appointed to the position following Mr. Harikumar's participation in the Syndicate meeting after being adjourned by Prof. Thomas. He also apparently failed to respond to an explanation sought by the Vice-Chancellor and went on leave. Governor seeks report The deadlock could further intensify with the intervention of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who also serves as the Chancellor in the university, in the issue. Raj Bhavan sought a detailed report from the Vice-Chancellor regarding the chaotic developments and the Syndicate's decisions on Sunday. In her response, Prof. Thomas reportedly stated that the Syndicate's decision to revoke the suspension was illegal and lacked procedural validity. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu alleged that Vice-Chancellors, who have been appointed on temporary basis, have been overstepping their administrative boundaries without fully understanding the regulations governing their roles. Rather than fuelling controversies, the interim Vice-Chancellors must help the academic community move forward by acting with restraint and responsibility. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty blamed the Governor for the university's troubles, accusing him of interfering in administrative matters and misinterpreting the university Act. Activists of the Students Federation of India and Left-aligned service organisations held protests on the university campus against the 'autocratic behaviour' of Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal, who is expected to return within a few days after a brief visit to Russia.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala University Syndicate ‘revokes' Registrar's suspension, V-C rejects legality of decision taken after adjournment
Kerala University found itself at the centre of an escalating legal and administrative stand-off on Sunday, after a special Syndicate meeting, convened to finalise the university's Statement of Facts for submission to the Kerala High Court on the suspension of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar, descended into high drama. Interim Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas refused to allow any further discussion on the matter, asserting that the meeting had been called solely to finalise the court-bound statement. She declared the meeting dissolved and walked out when a majority of Syndicate members raised the demand to revoke the suspension, which she termed sub judice and outside the approved agenda. However, the majority of the Syndicate members, primarily backed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), proceeded with the meeting under the chairpersonship of senior member P.M. Radhamani to revoke the suspension of Dr. Kumar, who reassumed office later in the day. The Vice-Chancellor, however, has rejected the legality of the 'post-dissolution' proceedings, stating that no decision taken after the dissolution of the meeting has legal validity. Syndicate's claim Countering the claim, the Left-backed Syndicate members, led by G. Muralidharan, maintained that the decision was in tune with the university statutes. They added that the Registrar's suspension violated university norms and that Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal misused his powers under Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, which allows immediate action only in exigent circumstances. The Vice-Chancellor was also accused of bypassing statutory norms including that to provide the Registrar a chance to be heard. Committee formed Adding another layer to the issue, the Syndicate also decided to constitute a three-member committee headed by Mr. Muralidharan to investigate the events surrounding the Senate Hall incident of June 25, where the controversy first erupted during a function attended by the Governor. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-aligned Syndicate members also strongly objected to the demand raised by Left-backed members to revoke the suspension. They termed any discussion outside the agenda legally untenable. During the meeting, Syndicate member P.S. Gopakumar also accused CPI(M)-backed member R. Rajesh of maligning the High Court through a Facebook post. Congress-backed Syndicate member Ahamed Fazil Y. distanced himself from both sides, asserting that while he opposed the suspension, he also believed the final say rests with the court. Minister's support Education Minister R. Bindu lent support to the Syndicate majority as she stated that it is the Syndicate, and not the Vice-Chancellor, that holds the authority to appoint or suspend the Registrar. The Syndicate's decision in legally valid, she added. With both the Vice-Chancellor and the Syndicate preparing separate affidavits to be submitted to the High Court, the matter is poised for a legal showdown.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bharat Mata row: Kerala Raj Bhavan expresses displeasure over ‘security lapse' during SFI-DYFI marches
Raj Bhavan in Kerala has reportedly expressed its displeasure to the State Police over what it has described as a serious 'security lapse' during the SFI-DYFI marches taken out to Raj Bhavan on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) night. Raj Bhavan has also sought stern action against police officers responsible for the alleged lapse, sources said. The SFI and the DYFI staged marches to Raj Bhavan protesting against the suspension of Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar over the Bharat Mata issue. The protests resulted in confrontation and clashes with the police. The police had used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. The demonstrations had taken place less than 50 metres from the main gates of Raj Bhavan, where a heavy police presence had been deployed. On Wednesday, Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal suspended Mr. Kumar in connection with the latter's action against the contentious display of the Bharat Mata image at an event attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the university's Senate Hall. The Registrar has announced his decision to legally challenge the decision. Minister backs Registrar On Thursday, Minister for Higher Education R. Bindu came out in support of the Registrar, saying that the V-C 'had no power to take such an action' against the Registrar as per the laws and rules governing universities in Kerala. She termed it 'a misuse of power.'
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Bharat Mata' row: Kerala University Vice-Chancellor rejects Registrar's explanation of attempt to cancel event
The 'Bharat Mata' controversy continues to roil Kerala University with Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal rejecting Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar's explanation on his move to cancel a recent event attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the university's Senate Hall. The Registrar's response, based on a report by the university's Public Relations Officer, maintained that he attempted to cancel the booking of the hall since the organisers of the event had breached the terms and conditions of the agreement by displaying religious symbols, which is prohibited in Senate Hall. He reportedly added that the organisers, who had signed a contract that stipulated 26 conditions, proceeded to display the controversial portrait and arranged a ritual offering of flowers ('pushparchana') in violation of rules. 'Detailed explanation' Unconvinced by the Registrar's explanation, Prof. Kunnummal has instructed the official to provide a more detailed explanation regarding the incident, the nature of the complaint filed against the organisers, and why the event was allowed to continue despite the breach of contract. The Vice-Chancellor has also sought clarification on the specific symbols used during the event and whether they were in violation of the university's guidelines. He has also asked for the PRO's report. He also has issued directions to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, and to strictly adhere to university protocols in future events. The Vice-Chancellor will soon submit a comprehensive report to the Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of the university. Left members' response Meanwhile, the Left-backed Syndicate members reiterated that unlawful activities will not be permitted on the university premises. 'The alleged attempt by the organisers to display RSS-linked symbols in the Senate Hall during the programme organised to mark the anniversary of the Emergency is highly objectionable. Such inappropriate actions led to tension and unrest on the campus,' they said.
