Will Kerala Governor Adhere to SC Directives for VC Appointments?
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Synopsis
The tension between the Kerala government and Governor Arlekar escalates as ministers demand adherence to Supreme Court directives for VC appointments. This ongoing power struggle raises concerns about governance in higher education. Will the Governor comply, or will the standoff continue?
Key Takeaways
- Ongoing standoff between Kerala government and Governor over VC appointments.
- Ministers pressed for adherence to Supreme Court directives.
- Concerns raised over the Governor's unilateral actions.
- State preparing to approach Supreme Court for legal recourse.
- Stalemate poses risks to academic stability in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (NationPress) In the midst of a continuing impasse between the Kerala government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar concerning Vice-Chancellor appointments, Law Minister P. Rajeev and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu recently met with the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Sunday. They urged him to comply with the Supreme Court's directives regarding this issue.
The discussion, which lasted about an hour, was convened following instructions from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The ministers advocated for the selection of regular VCs from the list presented by the government, underlining that such appointments should be grounded in strong academic credentials and adhere to constitutional and judicial standards.
They voiced significant concerns regarding the Governor's recent reappointments of interim VCs at Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), which were executed without considering the government’s suggested panels.
Sources from Raj Bhavan defended that the interim appointments complied with the Supreme Court's ruling, allowing for the continuation of academic administration until regular appointments could be finalized.
This meeting marks another chapter in the extended power struggle between Raj Bhavan and the LDF-led government over control of higher education institutions. Tensions escalated when the Governor, acting as Chancellor, repeatedly disregarded state recommendations and proceeded with independent appointments – a move the government regards as unconstitutional and against the principles of cooperative federalism.
The state government contends that the Governor's unilateral actions contravene Supreme Court guidelines which highlight transparency, merit, and the need to eliminate political bias in VC appointments. They have accused Raj Bhavan of disregarding established norms and compromising the autonomy of the university system.
The ministers communicated the government's intent to legally contest the Governor's actions, confirming that the state is preparing to approach the Supreme Court.
This situation unfolds as Chief Minister Vijayan has, for the second time, urged the Governor to ensure all appointments come from the government’s recommended list.
With neither party willing to yield, the stalemate over university appointments in Kerala persists, raising alarms about governance and academic stability in the state's higher education sector.
Point of View
It is crucial to uphold transparency and adherence to judicial directives.
NationPress
09/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current issue between the Kerala government and the Governor?
The issue revolves around Vice-Chancellor appointments, with the government urging the Governor to follow Supreme Court directives.
What did the ministers request from the Governor?
The ministers requested that the Governor appoint regular VCs from the government's recommended list based on merit and academic credentials.
Why is there a conflict over interim VC appointments?
The conflict arises from the Governor's reappointment of interim VCs without considering government proposals, which the state views as unconstitutional.
What legal action is the Kerala government considering?
The state government is preparing to challenge the Governor's actions legally and plans to approach the Supreme Court.
How has the Chief Minister responded to these appointments?
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to the Governor, requesting that all appointments be made from the government's recommended list.
