How CPI(M) interference and an SC directive have pushed Kerala’s universities to the brink
The Supreme Court directive on the appointment of vice-chancellors to universities in Kerala has stirred a hornet’s nest among academicians and educationists who fear that such observations and actions would lead to the destruction of whatever autonomy remains intact in institutions of higher learning. Academics in Kerala have written to thestate Governor,asking him to raise the matter with the President of India regarding theramifications of the recent Supreme Court directive.
The cold war between Lok Bhavan (previously known as Raj Bhavan) and the CPI(M) led Kerala government over the selection of vice-chancellors are holding back the process of appointment to the highest offices in the state’s universities. In a directive issued by the apex court last Friday, the Governor and the CPI(M) led government were told to mend ways and resolve all issues amicably lest the court itself would intervene and make the appointment. This has shocked the academic fraternity in Kerala, which fears that such acts would have far-reaching repercussions across the country.
The CPI(M) government’s intransigence haspreventedthe inclusion ofDr Ciza Thomasin the lists of names recommended by the search committees for appointment as vice chancellors of theKerala Technical Universityandthe Digital University of Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had deleted the name of Dr Ciza Thomas and included the names of persons whose only academic qualification seems to be their closeness to the CPI(M) and nothing else.
The Save University Campaign Committee, an apolitical organization of educationists and academicians that acts as whistleblowers in matters concerning the autonomy and standards of institutions of higher learning, says that the recent observations made by the apex court last Friday in the issue. Sources close to Kerala Governor told PGurus.com that the directive given by the court is in violation of the Constitution Bench’s decision with regard to the authority of the President of India and the Governors of states in approving the Bills sent to them.
The University Grant Commission (UGC), which controls the autonomy of all universities in the country, has mandated that a representative of the UGC should be included in all committees tasked with the selection of vice chancellors for the universities. But this was not followed by the CPI(M) in Kerala in order to circumvent the selection process and get its comrades appointed as vice chancellors and as faculty members.
The committee, in a representation to the Governor of Kerala, who is also the Chancellor of all Universities in the state, has alerted the latter that the Search Committee constituted pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court is not in conformity with the relevant State University Acts or the mandatory provisions of the UGC Regulations. “The Committee lacks a nominee of the University Grants Commission, which is an essential statutory requirement. This omission constitutes a serious departure from the legal framework governing the appointment of Vice Chancellors. We also understand that Your Excellency has already sought clarification regarding this irregularity. It is understood that the Search Committee has forwarded two lists of candidates to the Chief Minister, who, in turn, transmitted them to Your Excellency along with his stated preferences. As reflected in the affidavit submitted by Your Excellency’s office, the Chief Minister has objected to the inclusion of Dr. Ciza Thomas in both lists. This objection is neither unexpected nor grounded in merit, for Dr. Ciza Thomas had previously assumed charge as Vice Chancellor of KTU strictly in compliance with the Chancellor’s notification. More significantly, the objection relies solely on a vague and unsubstantiated media report, one that the Chief Minister himself acknowledged as unreliable and lacking specificity in his reply to the Leader of the Opposition.
Your Excellency facilitated the initiation of the compliance audit at the Digital University of Kerala upon the request of Dr. Ciza Thomas. This audit became imperative only after she brought to light serious irregularities in major projects, including the Graphene initiative,” says the memorandum sent by the SUCC to Governor Rajendra Arlekar, which was accessed by the P Gurus.com.
R S Sasikumar, academician who is the chairman of the SUCC, pointed out that there were many instances in the recent past when the CPI(M)-led Kerala government appointed vice-chancellors and faculty members to various departments, subverting the UGC guidelines. “Situation in the University of Kerala is so pathetic that even failed students belonging to the CPI(M) are awarded degrees and postgraduate degrees without passing the eligibility examinations. The PhDs in arts and humanities awarded by the University have become a laughing stock all over the country, as the research scholars themselves who managed to get the doctorate are incapable of explaining the thesis on which they worked and the independent observation they developed outside the university. “Quality of Higher Education in the state has gone over the boundary line for a six as the CPI(M) is struggling to infuse party ideology through the universities and schools,” said a leading educationist.
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