VC rejects finance minister's wife's resolution against UGC, triggers uproar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vice-Chancellor rejected the resolution moved by Finance Minister KN Balagopal's wife Dr. Asha Prabhakaran against the UGC in the Kerala University Academic Council meeting.

The resolution was against the draft policy of the UGC, which gives full powers to the Governor, including in the appointment of the VC. The resolution said the draft policy was unconstitutional and demanded it be withdrawn. Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal informed the meeting that the term ‘unconstitutional’ was misleading and therefore unacceptable. Hearing this, the members crowded around and created a ruckus. LDF members questioned the decision behind quashing the resolution while BJP members raised voices in support of UGC.

The commotion lasted for one and a half hours. During this, Dr. Asha got up four times and read the resolution. VC informed that it will not be in the record. Meanwhile, as per rule 11 of the draft policy, there is a provision to withdraw the affiliation of the institutions and stop the courses if the UGC policy is not followed. The council suggested asking the UGC to review this. VC suggested recording this in the minutes.

In protest against this, the syndicate members of the BJP boycotted the meeting. Later, the VC explained the norms that didn’t allow passing resolutions on matters that were not within the purview of the university.

Dr. Asha, a teacher in the English Department of MG College, is an active member of the All Kerala Private College Teachers Association (AKPCTA), a pro-CPM service organization.