THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is alleged that three of the six people nominated by the government as academic experts in the Kerala University Syndicate are full-time political activists accused in several criminal cases. It is also talked about that the Minister of Higher Education directly nominated them without checking their academic skills or even biodata.

According to the University ACT, the government can nominate six educationists to the syndicate. Following this section, along with three professors, the government stuffed full-time political workers J S Shiju Khan, G. Muralidharan Pillai, and R. Rajesh MLA into the list.

According to RTI documents, all three of the nominated names are still accused in 51 criminal cases in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha districts. According to the higher education department, their biodata were not available while the nominations were agreed upon after getting direct assent from the higher education minister.

The Save University Campaign Committee submitted a petition to the Chief Minister and the Minister of Higher Education requesting that the nomination of three persons be withdrawn and academic experts be nominated to the syndicate instead.