KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has said that the absence of permanent Vice Chancellors in 12 of the 13 universities in the state is detrimental to higher education. The division bench headed by the Chief Justice criticized the state government and the governor, who is the chancellor of the universities.

The court's remarks came while dismissing a plea challenging the temporary appointment of Dr Mohan Kunnummal as the VC of the University of Kerala. Dr A Sivaprasad and Priya Priyadarshan, members of the Kerala University Senate, argued that Dr Kunnummal's appointment was invalid as he had crossed the age limit and does not have a research degree.

The high court dismissed the plea, accepting the Governor's argument that temporary appointment was necessary for the smooth functioning of the university due to the delay in appointing a permanent VC. The Governor had asked 11 VCs to resign, citing the Supreme Court verdict that their appointments were invalid for not following UGC regulations, but the VCs refused to resign, and the matter is presently in the court.