Bharat Mata row deepens as VC suspends registrar for disrespecting Governor
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links. The standoff between Kerala's Left Democratic Front government and Governor Rajendra Arlekar has escalated with the acting Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University suspending the institution's registrar for cancelling an event featuring a Bharat Mata portrait. Mohanan Kunnummal, the V-C in-charge of the University, suspended registrar KS Anil Kumar on Wednesday, 2 July, for cancelling an event in which Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was an invitee. The suspension order said the registrar disrespected the Governor, who is also the University’s Chancellor, by denying permission to the event. Media reports quoting the registrar said he’ll legally challenge the V-C’s decision.On June 25, Anil Kumar decided to cancel the sanctioned order issued to the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi, to conduct an event at the University Senate Hall over the display of a portrait of the Bharat Mata on stage. Later, the registrar filed a complaint with the DGP demanding action as the program was conducted despite withdrawal of permission.The event sparked a row as the state government had expressed its displeasure over the Governor’s insistence on using Bharat Mata portraits in official functions of Raj Bhavan. The Student Federation of Indian (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] conducted a protest at the venue. The Higher Education Minister of the state, R Bindu, condemned the V-C’s move and said he misused his power. She said there is no provision in the University Act, statutes or regulations that allows the V-C to unilaterally suspend the registrar. Mohan Kunnummal was given the charge of V-C in October 2024 by former Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.“The Vice-Chancellor has no authority to suspend the registrar. The University Syndicate is the appointing authority of the registrar, and the V-C can only refer the matter to the Syndicate,” she said.V Sivankutty, the General Education Minister of the state, who earlier walked out of an official function at the Raj Bhavan protesting over the display of Bharat Mata holding saffron flag, also criticised the V-C’s decision. He said, the V-C has no power to take disciplinary action against the registrar as per the University Statute 10(4), which defines the power of an V-C. “The V-C should uphold the dignity of the position. Do not act like a henchman of the Governor,” he said in a post on his Facebook page. The SFI conducted a march to the Raj Bhavan to protest the decision.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
THE standoff between the Left Democratic Front government and Governor Rajendra Arlekar has escalated with the acting Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University suspending the institution's registrar for cancelling an event featuring a Bharat Mata portrait.
Mohanan Kunnummal, the VC in-charge of the University, suspended registrar KS Anil Kumar on Wednesday, 2 July, for cancelling an event in which Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was an invitee.
The suspension order said the registrar disrespected the Governor, who is also the University’s Chancellor, by denying permission to the event. Media reports quoting the registrar said he’ll legally challenge the VC’s decision.
On June 25, Anil Kumar decided to cancel the sanctioned order issued to the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi to conduct an event at the University Senate Hall over the display of a portrait of the Bharat Mata on stage. Later, the registrar filed a complaint with the DGP demanding action as the program was conducted despite the withdrawal of permission.
The event sparked a row as the state government had expressed its displeasure over the Governor’s insistence on using Bharat Mata portraits in official functions of Raj Bhavan. The Student Federation of Indian (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], conducted a protest at the venue.
The Higher Education Minister of the state, R Bindu, condemned the VC’s move and said he misused his power. She said there is no provision in the University Act, statutes or regulations that allows the V-C to unilaterally suspend the registrar. Mohan Kunnummal was given the charge of VC in October 2024 by former Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
“The Vice-Chancellor has no authority to suspend the registrar. The University Syndicate is the appointing authority of the registrar, and the VC can only refer the matter to the Syndicate,” she said.
V Sivankutty, the General Education Minister of the state, who earlier walked out of an official function at the Raj Bhavan protesting over the display of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag, also criticised the V-C’s decision. He said the VC has no power to take disciplinary action against the registrar as per the University Statute 10(4), which defines the power of a VC.
“The VC should uphold the dignity of the position. Do not act like a henchman of the Governor,” he said in a post on his Facebook page.
The SFI conducted a march to the Raj Bhavan to protest the decision.
