THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala in a press meet here asked how Minister K.T. Jaleel can continue in his position after dismissing the Higher Education Council Vice-Chairman Dr. Rajan Gurukkal.

“Rajan Gurukkal in his public statement said that M.G. University’s moderation and the minister intervening in it will tamper the quality of the University. Rajan Gurukkal is thus agreeing to my allegations. The minister has nothing to say about this. Bypassing all rules, he is showing partiality to his own. The M.G. vice-chancellor and syndicate should be dismissed for authorizing the illegal recommendation of the minister”, Chennithala said.

“The minister is ignoring the words of Rajan Gurukkal. The CM and Governor should listen to what Gurukkal said. If a minister doesn’t know anything about education, what will be the state of universities? Adalat in MG University during Oommen Chandy govt was a University Adalat to settle the files and not a Higher Education Department Adalat. After inaugurating it, Oommen Chandy left within 10 minutes. There was no moderation there back then”, Chennithala added.

“The allegation that Calicut University granted 20 marks moderation in 2012 is also wrong. As principals wrote to college that students failed in numbers due to a faulty scheme in 2004, 20 marks were given as moderation. Syndicate’s recommendation was recognized by the Academic Council and a notification was issued. The rule was also changed. Is there a union called SFI here? As they called a strike for transferring a ragging victim from Kozhikode Engineering College, the order was revoked”, Chennithala said.

“Is there a point in Jaleel getting jealous for my son’s entry into civil service? He doesn’t even have primary knowledge of the UPSC exam. My son Ramith is now training in Nagpur for the post of Income Tax Assistant Commissioner. He has taken leave to prepare for IAS. After passing preliminary and mains, now he is waiting for the interview. Let the students who work hard get the chance. If I had interfered, wouldn’t I go for IAS instead of IRS”, Chennithala asked.