CM accuses RSS for attempting to control Universities; says will face it boldly

THRIUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, in a press meet today, said that the RSS is trying to control the universities, that are run with the state’s fund. He added that universities will not be given up to become RSS’s political laboratory and stressed that he will face the challenge boldly.

The CM continued that there are attempts in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, to use governors to appoint Vice Chancellors who have ties with the RSS. That is why governors are engaging in conflicts with state governments.

He revealed that there is also such an attempt to appoint VC in the Kerala University, arbitrarily. The CM said that in Kasaragod Central University, a former ABVP President of Tamil Nadu was appointed as Associate Professor without following the UGC’s stipulations in selecting the qualified candidate.

The Chief Minister said he would not allow the strategy to first appoint a VC and then fill the appointments of a University with those having RSS backgrounds.

Concerning the reappointment of the Kannur University VC, the CM said that there is a proviso under the 10th section of the university rules that allows for reappointment of a VC. He clarified that this was approved by the High Court in effect.

Pinarayi Vijayan citing the fact that the NAAC has given A++ to Kerala University, A+ to Calicut University and A grade to MG University, he questioned that if these aren’t proof of development of higher education in the state.