Kerala Government’s Big Move Against Governor Amid War Of Words

After days of growing conflict, Kerala’s Left-led government resolved today to depose Governor Arif Mohammad Khan from his position as chancellor of universities.

The cabinet of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to introduce an ordinance or special order to oust the Governor. The action was taken shortly after Mr. Khan requested the resignation of the vice chancellors of the state’s nine institutions. All of the vice chancellors filed a lawsuit against the governor’s order with the High Court.

The newest manoeuvre by the state government in its dispute with the governor over university operations, including the choice of vice chancellors, is this one.

R Bindu, the minister for higher education in Kerala, stated that the administration aims to appoint qualified academicians to take the place of the governor as chancellor of the state’s universities.

Dr. Rajasree MS was fired from her position as vice chancellor of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) in Thiruvananthapuram by the Supreme Court in October due to a rule breach.

In accordance with the regulations, the Chancellor may choose the Vice Chancellor from a list of candidates put up by a formal committee.

However, the government only suggested one name. The Supreme Court stated that because there was no list of names, the Chancellor “had no alternative option” before him.

Later, Ciza Thomas was appointed as Vice Chancellor in Charge by the Governor.The appointment mandated by the Governor had been requested by the state administration from the High Court. Yesterday, the court declined to do so.

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