The Save University Campaign Committee, led by R.S. Sasikumar, on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, decided to escalate alleged irregularities in 19 faculty appointments at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, to the Governor — who also serves as Chancellor of all state universities — seeking urgent intervention. The move follows the State Finance Audit Department's findings that the appointments, made in 2021, were executed without mandatory government approval.

What the Audit Found

The state audit flagged three distinct categories of alleged violation: the 19 teaching appointments lacked prior government sanction; the reservation roster was allegedly not followed; and sanctioned vacancies were reportedly shifted between departments without the required syndicate approval. The former Vice-Chancellor is said to have authorised the inter-departmental vacancy transfers unilaterally, according to the audit findings.

The university is now also facing questions over the financial burden these appointments have placed on its budget.

The Ninitha Kanicheri Appointment

Among the 19 appointments under scrutiny is that of Ninitha Kanicheri, wife of M.B. Rajesh — a former Member of Parliament, Assembly Speaker, and state minister. She was appointed Assistant Professor in the Malayalam Department. The appointment had triggered a sharp controversy as early as February 2021, with allegations that a rank list prepared by subject experts had been overturned to favour her. Three members of the interview panel reportedly objected to the final published list, claiming deserving candidates had been bypassed. The then Vice-Chancellor denied the allegations, and Rajesh denied any interference in the selection process. Rajesh subsequently lost the April 2026 Assembly polls.

What the Committee Is Demanding

'We will bring all the audit findings to the attention of the Chancellor and seek further action. The university is in a total mess. The Vice-Chancellor is helpless and cannot do much under the present circumstances. Action can now be taken only by the Chancellor,' said Sasikumar. The committee has called on the Chancellor to examine the full audit report and initiate action against those responsible. It has also demanded a comprehensive inquiry into all 19 appointments and their cancellation if found to be illegal.

Political Context and Broader Implications

Sasikumar pointed to the political significance of the audit's timing. 'People are asking why these findings are coming out now. It was Pinarayi Vijayan who was heading the government when these appointments were made. There was a huge controversy even then, but nothing happened. The audit findings have now brought the irregularities into the open,' he said. This comes amid a wider political storm in Kerala over allegations of large-scale irregularities in Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment, making the university controversy the latest flashpoint in a broader debate about institutional integrity in the state. Notably, governor-university tensions over appointments have been a recurring fault line in Kerala politics across multiple administrations.

All eyes are now on the Governor's response — and whether the Chancellor's office will order a formal inquiry or direct the university to cancel the disputed appointments.