THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has put on hold its controversial directive to the registrar of Calicut University to appear before an additional secretary of the higher education department on June 4 for a ‘hearing’ based on a complaint.
The unprecedented move had evoked criticism from the academic community. They alleged that it was an attempt to interfere in the affairs of universities that function as autonomous institutions. A senior official of the higher education department told TNIE that the hearing has been put on hold due to some “technical reasons”.
The government had earlier informed the Calicut University registrar that it had received a complaint alleging irregularities in the temporary appointment of the former director of physical education in the varsity in 2015. The registrar was directed to attend the ‘hearing’ conducted by an additional secretary with a copy of the relevant documents.
Meanwhile, a source said the government’s decision to go on the back-foot was also prompted by Calicut University Vice-Chancellor P Raveendran’s firm directive to the registrar not to appear for the hearing.
“The V-C also wrote to the government pointing out that conducting such a hearing was against rules,” the source said.
Earlier, the higher education department had courted controversy after an additional secretary conducted an ‘inspection’ at the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) on the basis of a complaint received by Higher Education Minister R Bindu.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar had intervened in the matter in his capacity as Chancellor and had sought an explanation from the additional secretary.
Notably, the interventions on the part of the government have come in the wake of the passage of a Bill by the assembly that empowers the higher education minister to inquire into the affairs of universities. However, the Bill is yet to get the governor’s assent to become law.