THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the courts gave setbacks by sacking three VCs in the name of undue pressure and interference by the government to protect its interests, the state government continues its interventions in government universities without learning its lessons. The sacked persons are Dr MS Rajashree, who was the VC of the Technological Varsity, Riji John, who was the VC of Fisheries University and Dr Gopinath Ravindran, who was the VC of Kannur University. All three were sacked due to the irregularities in their appointment. While the Supreme Court had ordered that the stance of the Governor, who is the Chancellor, is final in the appointment of the VC and that there should be no interference by the government, Minister R Bindu on Friday chaired the Kerala Senate meeting using the authority of the Pro-Chancellor and passed a resolution not to provide a representative to the Governor. The ball is now in the Governor's court. The Governor is likely to nullify the meeting chaired by the minister.

The Supreme Court sacked Gopinath Ravindran from the post of Kannur VC due to Minister Bindu's intervention. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled that the dismissal of the search committee and reappointment of Gopinath on the recommendation of the minister was undue interference by the government. Rajashree was sacked due to the inclusion of the chief secretary in the search committee. The reason for Riji John's dismissal was that he was not appointed from a panel consisting of three to five names as per UGC rules. In its order in the Kannur VC case, the apex court stated that the government's interference had distorted the VC appointment process.

On Friday, Minister Bindu presided over the meeting of the Kerala Senate convened as per the order of the High Court to appoint a representative to the search committee. The meeting ignored 2 proposed names and passed a resolution that a representative would not be given to the search committee. The Minister exercised the power of the Pro-Chancellor in the presence of the Chancellor. It must be noted that the power of the Pro-Chancellor can be exercised only in the Chancellor's absence or in his inability to act.

Setbacks
1) October 21, 2022- Supreme Court sacked Technological University VC Dr MS Rajashree
2) November 14, 2022- High Court sacked Fisheries University VC Dr Riji John
3) November 30, 2023- Kannur University VC Dr Gopinath Ravindran was sacked by the Supreme Court

Chancellor is not just a title

• The Chancellor has the right to take the decision in matters, including VC appointment. The decision will be final
• Chancellor is not just a title, but a key role in the varsity
• Obeying someone else's order or interest is illegal
• There is a definite separation between the Chancellor and the State Government in the law
• (As said by the Supreme Court in the Kannur VC case)