'Appointment illegal, resignation irrelevant', Governor's reply to Open University VC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has responded to the resignation of Mubarak Pasha, the first vice chancellor of Sri Narayana Guru Open University, stating that resigning after issuing the notice of appointment was improper.

He clarified in his reply letter that the resignation was inconsequential as the appointment itself was deemed illegal. Mubarak Pasha tendered his resignation on the same day the governor decided to hold a hearing involving four VCs, including Pasha.

High Court temporarily halted the order pending further review, yet it rejected the plea of Kaladi Sanskrit University VC Dr MV Narayanan. Subsequently, the Governor dismissed both VCs, citing that the appointment of Calicut Sanskrit University VCs violated UGC rules.