All eyes now on Kerala governor Arlekar’s next move
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the vice-chancellor and syndicate in Kerala University refusing to budge from their respective stances in the registrar suspension issue, all eyes are now on the course of action Governor Rajendra Arlekar would adopt on the matter by exercising his powers as Chancellor.
Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas had submitted a detailed report before the governor stating that the syndicate meeting that reinstated the registrar was ‘invalid’.
She has also reportedly informed the governor that the continuance of K S Anil Kumar in the registrar’s post was illegal.
The High Court had observed that since the syndicate has decided to reinstate the registrar, the correctness of that decision must be determined by the “appropriate authority”, meaning the chancellor. “In this case, Arlekar is expected to exercise his powers under Section 7(3) of the Kerala University Act,’ said a source.
This provision in the Act empowers the chancellor to “annul any proceeding of any of the authorities of the university which is not in conformity with this Act, the Statutes, the Ordinances, the Regulations, the rules or the bye-laws”.
“However, before taking any such action in the registrar’s case, the chancellor will have to hear the version of the syndicate which is the appointing authority of the official,” said a senior government counsel, preferring anonymity.
Meanwhile, the revocation of Anil Kumar’s suspension by the syndicate has left legal experts divided.
While one section feels the vice-chancellor should have reported the registrar’s suspension before the syndicate when it met on Sunday, another section says it was not required as the single point agenda of the meeting was to discuss the statement of facts to be submitted to the High Court.
“This issue is set to play out as a prolonged legal battle as any action taken by the chancellor against the registrar will be legally challenged by both the syndicate and the official himself,” said a source.
Meanwhile, the administrative crisis in the varsity is expected to prevail as long as the power struggle between camps loyal to the governor and the government continues.