VC not yielding to syndicate's proposal; reinstatement of suspended registrar will not happen immediately

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The VC did not yield to the syndicate's stand to immediately reinstate Registrar KS Anilkumar, who was suspended on charges of defaming the Governor in the Bharatamba issue. 19 members, including a Congress member, demanded that Anilkumar be reinstated. Two BJP members dissented. VC Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, who dissented, left the syndicate's actions and decisions to the Governor's consideration as per the University Act.

The committee appointed by the VC had found that the Registrar had signed files in violation of the VC's prohibition, had ordered a decision on 522 files, and had issued passport certificates to students going abroad using the university seal illegally. The Syndicate had assigned a three-member sub-committee to investigate the findings of this report. The VC had objected to the appointment of a sub-committee comprising the syndicate members to investigate the actions of the Registrar, who had been present in the office illegally during the suspension period at the instigation of the same Syndicate members, and to the Registrar being admitted to service without completing the investigation. The VC said that the order regarding the admission to service will be issued only after the Governor's decision.

The CPM members took a strong stand that they would not end the meeting without issuing an order to lift the suspension. The VC stood firm that he had no authority to take a decision if it was referred to the Governor. As the uproar continued, the meeting was adjourned with the understanding of meeting on another day. The agenda of the Senate meeting on the 14th was approved after detailed discussions.