Latest news with #KeralaUniversityAct
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KU crisis: Pro-left syndicate members counter Gurukkal's statement, demand its withdrawal
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pro-left Syndicate members of Kerala University have urged Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal to retract his statement blaming the Kerala University Syndicate for the current crisis in the university. The Syndicate members said Gurukkal's aspersions on the Syndicate were not only erroneous but also lent unintended grist to the Sangh Parivar's mill. In a statement on July 20, Gurukkal had said the Syndicate's ignorance of the Act and Statutes was the prime reason for the crisis. According to M Lenin Lal, pro-LDF syndicate member, Gurukkal's accusation of statutory violations by the Kerala University Syndicate is wholly unfounded. The real flashpoint lies in the overreach of Vice-Chancellor-in-Charge Mohanan Kunnummal. On July 2, Kunnummal suspended Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar for cancelling a private event at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata, adorned with a saffron flag, was displayed in the presence of Governor Rajendra Arlekar. Citing Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, Kunnummal claimed an emergency necessitated his decision. However, Section 10(14) explicitly restricts the Vice-Chancellor's authority to suspend officers above the rank of Deputy Registrar, such as the Registrar, a senior officer under Chapter III, Section 9.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala HC seeks vice chancellor's response on plea for police protection on campuses
Kochi: High court has sought an affidavit from Kerala University vice chancellor (VC) in response to a PIL seeking police protection on university campuses in light of ongoing agitations and protests. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji was considering a PIL by K N Ramesh Kumar of Ernakulam. The petitioner alleged that a serious law-and-order situation had arisen following the controversial suspension of the Kerala University registrar by the VC and his subsequent reinstatement by the syndicate. Though administrative in nature, these actions have allegedly triggered widespread political mobilisation, resulting in the current protests. However, the bench noted that the petition was vague and failed to specify any particular incidents or actions. HC criticised the petitioner for the lack of necessary details. On request, the petitioner was granted time to file an additional affidavit providing the missing particulars. The petitioner's primary contention was that certain elements were disturbing the functioning of the university. HC observed that under the Kerala University Act, the responsibility for maintaining internal discipline rests with the vice chancellor. Accordingly, the court directed the VC to file an affidavit in this regard and posted the petition on July 24.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CUEO urges Governor's intervention in Kerala University issue
The Confederation of University Employees Organisations, Kerala, (CUEO), representing employees across all State universities, has urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to recall Kerala University Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal, blaming the latter's alleged illegal actions for the prevailing crisis at the university. CUEO, in a formal representation, accused the Vice-Chancellor of violating statutory provisions to 'unilaterally and illegally' suspend the incumbent Registrar. 'Subsequently, the Syndicate, in its capacity as the legitimate authority as written in the Kerala University Act, revoked the suspension of the Registrar, who has since resumed his official duties. However, the individual illegally appointed by the Vice Chancellor (as Registrar) continues to remain in the university, creating a situation where two persons are functioning as Registrar. This unprecedented scenario has led to severe confusion, disarray and operational chaos among employees across the university.' The organisation cautioned that the university's functioning has come to a virtual standstill, with the prevailing environment of uncertainty severely hampering administrative activities. 'What makes this situation especially concerning is that it comes at a critical juncture in the academic calendar, with admission processes underway for various programmes. The crisis threatens to jeopardise admissions, and tarnish the university's reputation,' it stated. Separately, the Federation of University Teachers Associations issued a statement, condemning the 'unprofessional and politically motivated actions' of temporary Vice-Chancellors in the State's universities. While the public in Kerala have always held the position of Vice-Chancellor in high regard, certain persons who hold the position on a temporary basis have been allegedly undermining the office's prestige by engaging in politically-motivated actions.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
All eyes now on Kerala governor Arlekar's next move
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the vice-chancellor and syndicate in Kerala University refusing to budge from their respective stances in the registrar suspension issue, all eyes are now on the course of action Governor Rajendra Arlekar would adopt on the matter by exercising his powers as Chancellor. Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas had submitted a detailed report before the governor stating that the syndicate meeting that reinstated the registrar was 'invalid'. She has also reportedly informed the governor that the continuance of K S Anil Kumar in the registrar's post was illegal. The High Court had observed that since the syndicate has decided to reinstate the registrar, the correctness of that decision must be determined by the 'appropriate authority', meaning the chancellor. 'In this case, Arlekar is expected to exercise his powers under Section 7(3) of the Kerala University Act,' said a source. This provision in the Act empowers the chancellor to 'annul any proceeding of any of the authorities of the university which is not in conformity with this Act, the Statutes, the Ordinances, the Regulations, the rules or the bye-laws'.
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.
