Kerala University crisis: Minister’s mediation fails as syndicate targets Vice-Chancellor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The intervention by Minister R. Bindu to resolve the issues at Kerala University has failed. Left-affiliated syndicate members have come forward against Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, demanding that an immediate syndicate meeting be convened and that the Vice-Chancellor resign. They pointed out that the last syndicate meeting was held in early May and, according to university regulations, the deadline for convening the next meeting expired yesterday, constituting a violation of university statutes. They also clarified that the meeting held on June 15 was a special syndicate meeting.

Higher Education Council Vice-Chairman Rajan Gurukkal, who supported the Vice-Chancellor and criticised the syndicate members, also faced criticism. Left syndicate member G. Muraleedharan stated that the belief that the Vice-Chancellor holds supreme authority in the university was based on misconceptions and a lack of proper understanding, stressing that the VC must operate under the syndicate and in accordance with university rules and laws.

Meanwhile, the SFI staged a protest march to the Kerala University headquarters, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal over his participation in the upcoming ‘Jñānasabha,’ an event organised by an RSS-linked group. The protest was flagged off by SFI Thiruvananthapuram District Secretary Nandan. The organisation alleged that five vice-chancellors from Kerala are slated to attend the event on the 27th, describing it as an attempt by the Chancellor and the vice-chancellors to saffronize the universities — a move they vowed to oppose.