Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 23 (BPNS)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, in a surprise move has asked all the nine Vice Chancellors of the state to resign from their respective posts. The Kerala Governor said that the action was following the Supreme Court ordering the resignation of the Kerala Technical University Vice-Chancellor.
Arif Mohammed Khan has directed the Vice Chancellors to resign before 11.30 am on Monday.
The Governor asked for Calicut University, Sanskrit University, APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kannur University, Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, MG University, and Kerala University to put in their papers before 11.30 am on Monday. The Governor’s office said that 5 VCs were asked to go as they were selected without panel names during the selection of Vice -Chancellor and was selected politically. The remaining four was selected through a process wherein eminent subject experts were not present in the selection committee.
Meanwhile CPI-M state secretary, M.V. Govindan told media persons in Alappuzha that the party and the government would oppose the Governor’s move which was anti-constitutional. He said that BJP and RSS which is not able to come to power directly are trying backroom maneuverings to take hold of power in the state.
Govindan said, “This is a mad decision by the Governor and we will take all the recourses including legal options against this.”
Sources in the government told BPNS that the higher education department of the state is holding a meeting to decide on the future course of action. Officials in the department further said that the government is likely to direct the Vice Chancellors not to respond to the Governor’s directive.
Muslim League leader and former Kerala education minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer told media persons that the decision of the Governor was wrong. He said that the Governor does not have such discretionary power.
CPI-M Politburo member and former Kerala education minister, M.A. Baby told media persons that the Kerala Governor was functioning like a central government employee acting on the tunes of the Governor.
