Governor's action was wrong, D.Litt issue being raised now to divert attention from political interference in higher education sector: VD Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan has levelled allegations against Kerala Governor over the issue of awarding honorary D.Litt to the President. Satheesan alleged that the governor's action of directing the Vice-Chancellor to award honorary D.Litt to the President was wrong. While urging the governor to rectify the mistake, Satheesan also said that Vice-Chancellor should be removed. According to Satheesan, political interference in the higher education sector was the main issue and that the D.Litt issue was being discussed to divert attention from it.

The opposition leader's allegation against the governor is contrary to Ramesh Chennithala's claim that the recommendation to award D.Litt to the President was rejected due to government intervention. VD Satheesan, who had said yesterday that he did not know about the incident, has now turned against the governor.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kerala had promised to confer the honorary D.Litt on the President as recommended by the Governor. However, the VC was forced to change this decision due to political pressure, sources said. Sources said that President Ram Nath Kovind decided to visit Kerala to receive an honorary doctorate and that he returned last week in disgrace after the Kerala University changed its decision.