Controversial senate meeting: Kerala University VC files report against Higher Education Minister R Bindu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University's vice-chancellor has filed a report against Higher Education Minister R Bindu regarding the kerfuffle over the University Senate meeting. It is alleged in the report that the minister gratuitously chaired the meeting which was in fact scheduled by the Vice Chancellor himself.

Despite pointing out the violation of law, the minister remained steadfast that she would chair the meeting in the absence of the Chancellor. According to the report, the resolution which was said to have been passed by the Senate was not previously included in the agenda. The VC included the names suggested in the meeting. The names of the nominees to the search committee were also forwarded.

The chances of Governor Arif Khan cancelling the senate's decision to not provide a representative to the search committee, constituted to appoint the Vice-Chancellor, were strongly rumoured in media circles. Governor Arif Muhammad Khan had also sought legal advice on the matter. He asked for a detailed report after Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal visited Raj Bhavan and explained what happened in the Senate meeting.

The Governor will take further steps after examining the legal aspects of the meeting chaired by Minister R Bindu, who is also the Pro-Chancellor. Considering the complaints related to this, the Governor may cancel the previously held Senate meeting and may reconvene another meeting with a proposal to select a university representative for the search committee.

If not, based on the report of the VC, a search committee may be formed including the names suggested by the opposition members in the Senate meeting. Otherwise, a search committee will be formed on its own without a representative of the university.