Controversial senate in Kerala varsity: Governor to seek explanation from registrar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The governor will issue a show cause notice to the registrar before cancelling the controversial senate meeting of Kerala University. This is to show cause within seven days not to cancel the meeting presided over by Minister R Bindu, where she unlawfully assumed the role with an authority that does not exist with the Pro-Chancellor. The procedure is strictly followed to avoid backlash in court.

The governor had faced a setback in court, for cancelling without seeking an explanation, the resolution of the Syndicate and Board of Governance to appoint a high-powered committee to control Prof. Ciza Thomas, who was formerly the VC of the University of Technology.

The legal advice received by the governor is that the meeting of the senate chaired by the minister can be cancelled.

According to the Varsity Act, the Vice-Chancellor is the Chairman of the Committees including Senate and Syndicate. The Pro-Chancellor can attend the meeting but cannot preside. In the absence of the Chancellor, his duties may be assumed by the Pro-Chancellor but only with the written direction of the Chancellor.

Neither the Raj Bhavan nor the Chancellor asked the Minister to chair the meeting. The minutes signed by the minister and the registrar stating that the senate had passed a resolution not to appoint a representative to the search committee is also invalid. VC has been directed to check the minutes.

VC's report today

VC Dr Mohanan Kunnummal will submit a report to the Governor today on the controversial Senate.

The VC will inform the governor that the minister took over the meeting by force even though he informed her that he was the one who called the meeting and he is the one who should be the chairperson. According to the VC's report, the motion not to assign a representative to the search committee was not discussed or passed in the Senate and the governor's representatives and members of Congress nominated one name each.