THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor observed that awarding internal marks to former SFI women leader who is working as an Assistant Professor on a temporary basis in Calicut University after 9 years, for the examination she gave in 2009, was illegal. She was awarded internal marks based on attendance. 21 marks were awarded at the rate of 4 marks for each semester for the 2009 MA Women's Studies examination. In 2010, the then Vice Chancellor Dr Anwar Jahan Zuberi had blocked the awarding of the marks. Later in 2018, the Board of Adjudication awarded the marks again.

Yesterday, the Governor held a hearing on the complaint of Save University Campaign Committee Chairman RS Sasikumar, Calicut Syndicate Member Dr Rasheed Ahmed, Calicut University Teachers Association and KPCTA. The registrar Dr EK Satish first said that there is no practice of recording the attendance of the students. He later changed the statement that the attendance was recorded on a sheet and not in a book. The complainants contended that there is no provision in the university rules to change the internal marks awarded based on attendance.

Those with less than 75% attendance can be allowed to write the examination with attendance relaxation on payment of a special fee. The complainants also argued that it is illegal to give marks for attendance in the internal marks to those who were allowed to write the examination by paying a fee like this. The Governor observed that the Board of Adjudication does not have the authority for this and only the Academic Council does. Action regarding this will be taken later. 21 marks were awarded based on the recommendation of Mini Sukumaran, who was the head of the department in 2018 and is currently a member of the state planning board.