Kerala University senate-Governor dispute; people in positions of power should not behave like this, says High Court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court criticized the dispute between the Governor and the senate regarding the appointment of Kerala University VC as unnecessary and an attempt to create controversy. Justice Devan Ramachandran made the remark while hearing a petition filed by 15 members against the Governor's action removing them from the senate.

Criticizing the senate and the Governor, the single bench said that those in power should not behave like this. "Let the temporary VC continue if the senate believes there is no need for a new VC. The petition of the expelled members shouldn't be quickly considered if the Senate is unwilling to designate a representative to the search committee for the appointment of the VC. The relationship between the senate and the Chancellor is not an employer-employee relationship. The court is not saying that the Chancellor is right," the bench observed.

The counsel for Kerala University objected to the question of whether the Senate would send a representative if the Governor's notification forming a search committee without a representative of the senate was revoked, citing technical concerns. This angered the court. The High Court responded that the University should not give reasons for the namesake so as not to send a nominee.

The High Court also criticized the senate for passing a resolution against the Governor's action of setting up a search committee for the selection of the Vice Chancellor

"The resolution was passed on the matter under consideration of the court. How can a party to the case ask the other party to withdraw the notification? How can the Governor withdraw the notification pending before the court? The Senate passed the resolution challenging the court. Does the Senate have no faith in the court? If the Governor does not withdraw the notification, isn't it enough for the court to quash it?" Justice Devan Ramachandran said.

One of the parties brought to the court's attention that a bill to remove the Governor from the post of Chancellor was coming up in the assembly. However, the High Court said that politics should be kept outside the court.