Latest news with #Kunnummal
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala University crisis deepens as VC & syndicate won't back down
T'puram: Higher education minister R Bindu's attempts to solve the administrative crisis at Kerala University seem to have failed as both vice-chancellor (VC) Mohanan Kunnummal and CPM members in the syndicate continue their fight for control. Adding a new chapter to the tussle on Tuesday, Kunnummal refused to approve a file sent by 'suspended' registrar K S Anil Kumar. The file requested Rs 10 lakh to support university union activities. It is learnt that the VC told university officials to resend the file through the registrar-in-charge Mini Kappen. However, CPM members are said to have used the 'suspended' registrar to build another case against the VC. The delay in releasing funds to the university union could give the SFI a chance to restart its strike. SFI had ended the strike suddenly after the govt tried to pacify both Kunnummal and governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Kunnummal again warned university staff not to take orders from the 'suspended' registrar, who continues to be present in his office every day despite being suspended. Left members in the syndicate and the state govt argue that Kumar's suspension ended after a syndicate meeting, held without the VC, revoked it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo The VC also rejected the demand to convene a syndicate meeting. University Statute 6 (1) states that a syndicate meeting should be convened at least once in two months or at the discretion of the VC. Since there is no provision for a special syndicate meeting in university rules, the VC has taken the stand that it would be sufficient to convene the next syndicate meeting by Sept 6. The last meeting was held on July 6. Despite Kunnummal's repeated instructions, university officers have not made arrangements for the acting registrar to access the file link. The ongoing administrative crisis at Kerala University continues as both sides refuse to back down and tensions remain high on campus.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
VC: Give only subsistence allowance to registrar
1 2 3 4 T'puram: Kerala University vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has directed the university finance officer not to process the salary of the suspended registrar K S Anil Kumar but to provide him only a subsistence allowance. Kunnummal suspended Anil Kumar from service on July 2 but syndicate members met in his absence on July 5 and claimed to have revoked his suspension and issued orders. Kunnummal later handed over registrar's charge to planning director Mini Kappan. Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan has directed Kappan to appear before the governor on Saturday with score sheets provided by the Kerala University youth festival judging committee. A group of winners had approached the court against Kunnummal's refusal to accept the results of some competitions, where four or five students were declared joint first-prize winners. It was alleged that the university union, which organises the festival, made arrangements to declare a group of students as joint winners as it would help them gain considerable grace marks. Planning director Kappan, whom the VC appointed as registrar in charge, has been summoned to obtain details before filing a court affidavit. The chancellor is one of the accused in the complaint filed by the students. Meanwhile, the administration crisis continues in Kerala University. Although the VC gave the registrar's charge to Kappan, pro-CPM members in the office refused to provide her with the files' links. Since the syndicate standing committee's recommendation to sanction additional seats for some courses did not reach the office of the VC through the registrar in charge, he refused to sign the same.
New Indian Express
7 days 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.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala University V-C Mohanan Kunnummal returns amid tight security; SFI refrains from protesting on campus
Kerala University Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal arrived at the university headquarters on Friday (July 18, 2025) after nearly 20 days. His return, under tight police security, marks a significant development following weeks of controversy and student protests. Notably, no protests were staged by the Students' Federation of India (SFI), despite declarations that they would block the Vice-Chancellor's entry. Mr. Kunnummal had stayed away from the university citing threats to his life and peace on the campus following intense protests by the SFI. His return comes a few days after a meeting with Governor and Chancellor of the university, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, and amidst administrative tensions within the establishment. While mediapersons attempted to get a response from Mr. Kunnummal during his arrival both at the airport earlier and at the university premises, he declined to comment as he proceeded under tight security. Pending certificates Despite continuing its agitation against the Governor and the Vice-Chancellors appointed by him, the SFI did not organise any protests on the campus during Mr. Kunnummal's arrival. The CPI(M)-feeder student body has stated that their decision was based on the pressing need to get the several pending certificates cleared by the Vice-Chancellor. Last week, the university had witnessed dramatic scenes when SFI activists stormed the university headquarters, shouting slogans against both the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor. Hundreds participated in the protest, which also led to arrests. Those detained were recently granted bail. While the situation conveys a semblance of normalcy, it remains to be seen what transpires within the top echelons of power at the university. The Vice-Chancellor has yet to accept the disputed reinstatement of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar by the Syndicate, and has charged Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen with the additional charge of Registrar. Mr. Kunnummal's move to convene an Academic Council through Ms. Kappen, while ignoring repeated calls from Left-backed Syndicate members for an urgent Syndicate meeting, has further deepened the divide within the administrative circles.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Administrative tussle continues at Kerala University; SFI holds demonstration at university headquarters
The administrative tussle at Kerala University showed no signs of abatement with Vice-Chancellor (V-C) in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal barring Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar from using his official vehicle on Tuesday. Dr. Kunnummal has issued instructions to Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen, who has been given additional charge of Registrar, and the security wing to implement the order. However, while similar orders had been issued earlier, the outcome of the latest order remains to be seen. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) renewed its protest against the Vice-Chancellor, a day after he accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-feeder of preventing his entry into the campus. Administrative impasse Scores of SFI activists marched to the university headquarters amid police vigil, chanting slogans against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and the Vice-Chancellor. SFI State secretary P.S. Sanjeev, who launched the demonstration, accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of systematically infiltrating the State's universities through temporary Vice-Chancellor appointments. He also blamed Dr. Kunnummal for the administrative impasse that prevailed at the university. Amid the persisting stand-off, the university remains caught in the worrying administrative stalemate with several crucial files, including degree and equivalency certificate applications and Plan fund release requests, pending clearance. Those required to conduct PhD theses presentations and facilitate career advancements have also been stalled. The scenario has also paved the way for concerns about the potential lapse of a significant funding of ₹100 crore the university stood to receive under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA). Calicut and Kannur Universities were chosen for similar allocations under the national scheme, which guaranteed a total funding of ₹405 crore for educational institutions in Kerala. 60:40 basis The State government had submitted proposals and presentations to secure the funding, which is supposed to be shared on a 60:40 basis between the Central and State governments. The guidelines mandated that the entire amount be utilised before March 31 for universities to remain eligible for direct funding in the future. The universities had constituted committees and commenced preliminary steps to implement the finalised projects to meet the criterion. However, the absence of Vice-Chancellor from office and the inability to convene Syndicate committees threatened to jeopardise the universities' prospects for expansion.
