THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has sought a report from the Kerala University VC on the controversy over the appointment of the new Malayalam lexicon editor in the university. The explanation was sought following a complaint that the editor had been appointed in violation of the norms. The governor's action came a day after controversy erupted over the appointment of Dr. Poornima Mohan, wife of R. Mohanan, who is Officer on Special Duty at the office of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The issue surfaced after the 'Save University Campaign Committee' complained to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan that she was a Sanskrit teacher with the Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, who was appointed the editor of the Malayalam Lexicon, which was in total violation of qualification guidelines.

The complaint is -- how come a Sanskrit teacher can be appointed after ignoring qualified Malayalam professors of the university, which they say is against the statute of the University, as only persons proficient in the language are eligible.