Kerala Governor tells VCs of 9 universities to resign by today; CPM hits back

On Friday, the Supreme Court had held that the search committee which recommended the appointment of Rajasree M S as the V-C of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University was “not duly constituted” and the appointment flouted UGC norms.

Thiruvananthapuram” Two days  after the Supreme Court held that the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananthapuram, was “illegal” and “void ab initio” as it flouted University Grants Commission (UGC) norms, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday sought the resignations of V-Cs of nine universities in the state.

“Upholding the verdict of Hon’ble SupremeCourt… Shri Arif Mohammed Khan has directed Vice Chancellors of 9 varsities in Kerala to tender resignation: PRO, Kerala Raj Bhavan,” the Governor’s official handle tweeted.

“Letters directing Vice Chancellors of nine universities of Kerala to tender their resignation by 11.30 a.m on 24 October 2022, have been issued. Letter also emailed to VCs and Registrars of varsities concerned: PRO, Kerala Raj Bhavan,” it said.

Besides the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, the list includes University of Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi University, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies, Kannur University, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, University of Calicut and Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University.

On Friday, the Supreme Court had held that the search committee which recommended the appointment of Rajasree M S as the V-C of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University was “not duly constituted” and the appointment flouted UGC norms.

The SC noted that “as per Section 13(4) of the University Act, 2015, the (search) committee shall recommend unanimously a panel of not less than three suitable persons… which shall be placed before the Visitor/ Chancellor”. It pointed out that in this case, the committee had only recommended Rajasree’s name.

Following the SC’s decision, the state government on Saturday informed Raj Bhavan that it was recommending Kerala Digital University V-C Dr Saji Gopinath as V-C of A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University.