Latest news with #KeralaUniversity
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Administrative deadlock continues at Kerala University
The administrative stalemate at Kerala University shows no signs of resolution, despite mediation attempts by various quarters including Higher Education Minister R. Bindu. Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal has yet to convene a Syndicate meeting as demanded by Left-backed Syndicate members. Besides, tensions have further escalated following the disciplinary action initiated against Joint Registrar P. Harikumar two days ago, which is feared to derail the ongoing efforts to reach a consensus. Dr. Kunnummal issued a show-cause notice to Mr. Harikumar for issuing an official order that revoked the suspension of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar and subsequently circulating the directive across university departments. The Vice-Chancellor has maintained that the Syndicate decision to withdraw the Registrar's suspension lacks legal validity. Mr. Harikumar has been given 15 days to respond to the notice. A section of Syndicate members has accused the Vice-Chancellor of deliberately stalling the Syndicate meeting to evade scrutiny. University regulations mandate that such meetings must be held at least once every 60 day, they claim. With the last meeting held on May 27, the deadline for the next meeting is July 27. They had submitted a formal request to convene the meeting on July 18. Meanwhile, the Raj Bhavan has summoned Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen, who has been assigned additional charge of the Registrar, to provide details regarding a controversy over grace mark allocation related to last year's Kerala University Union Youth Festival. Dr. Kappen has been directed to appear before the Governor on July 26, and present score sheets and other related documents submitted by the festival's judging panel. The Governor, as the Chancellor of the university, has been named a respondent in a court case filed by a group of students, necessitating the submission of a counter affidavit. The issue arose after the Vice-Chancellor refused to approve the festival organisers' decision to declare multiple groups as winners in some group events. This approach was allegedly adopted to extend the grace mark benefits to a larger number of students. Various quarters interpret the Governor's summoning of Dr. Kappen as tacit acknowledgement of the legitimacy of Dr. Kumar's suspension.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Contempt case: Appeal filed by KU syndicate member not maintainable, rules Kerala high court
Kochi: High court has held that the appeal filed by R Rajesh, former MLA and syndicate member of Kerala University, challenging the contempt proceedings initiated against him over an alleged Facebook post targeting HC judges, is not maintainable. A division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna, on Monday, upheld the decision of the high court Registry, which had earlier declined to number the appeal, citing defects in maintainability. During hearing, the counsel appearing for HC submitted that, for an appeal to lie under Section 19(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, the impugned order must be linked to an order awarding punishment for contempt. Senior counsel appearing for Rajesh, however, contended that the single bench could not have directly proceeded to frame charges, as done in the present case, and could only have directed that the matter be placed before the appropriate bench. After considering the submissions, the bench held that the appeal is not maintainable and observed that the defect pointed out by the registry stands sustained. Previously, the single bench had directed HC registry to issue notice to Rajesh, requiring him to appear in the contempt proceedings on July 23. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The single bench had also directed that the matter be placed before the appropriate bench, as per the directions of the Chief Justice. This prompted Rajesh to file the present appeal. The alleged Facebook post, made in connection with the litigation concerning the suspension of the Kerala University registrar, stated: "It is the goddess of justice who sits in the high court, not a woman holding a saffron flag." The single bench had observed that the remarks prima facie amounted to interference with the administration of justice and scandalising the court, and consequently initiated contempt proceedings against him.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Contempt of court case: HC terms as not maintainable an appeal filed by Kerala University Syndicate member
The Kerala High Court has termed as not maintainable an appeal filed by R. Rajesh, a Syndicate member of Kerala University and a former MLA, in a contempt of court case that had been registered against him earlier this month on the charge that he used 'insinuation and intemperate language' in a Facebook post he made on July 6 about the High Court Bench that heard petitions regarding the education sector. He had been directed to appear before the court on July 23, on the basis of suo motu contempt of court proceedings initiated by a Single Bench of the HC. On Monday, a Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. heard counsels for both the HC and Mr Rajesh. The court's counsel said that for an appeal under the Contempt of Courts Act, the impugned order ought to be inextricably connected with the order punishing for contempt. In this case, only charges were framed and no conviction or punishment was made so far. The hearing occurs only when the respondent appears before the court pursuant to a notice issued to him. Mr Rajesh's counsel contended that a Single Bench cannot straight away frame the charges. He can only direct it to be placed before the appropriate Bench. Only the designated judge or the Chief Justice can initiate contempt action, he argued. In his FB post, written in Malayalam, Mr. Rajesh had said the 'Centre was trying to destroy and control the State's higher education sector. Chancellors are tasked solely to politically control universities, while they appoint Vice-Chancellors even without considering their qualifications. The HC Bench that hears university cases deliberately appoints staunch Sangh Parivar supporters...', his post said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala University owes its crisis to syndicate's ignorance of act and statutes
In any university, the syndicate is its executive body, chaired by the vice- chancellor. Without the vice-chancellor, the syndicate has no legal or functional existence. However, many mistakenly see the syndicate and the vice-chancellor as separate entities. This statutory ignorance is the root cause of the crisis of the Kerala University. In truth, syndicate members have no individual authority outside their collective role. At the same time, the vice-chancellor is the sole chief executive and academic head of the university. Kerala University, the first in the state, has long upheld the false convention of treating syndicate members as individual authorities. Under this illusion, members have enjoyed undue privileges — such as private offices — believing themselves to be like "ministers" in a university "cabinet," despite having no individual portfolios or administrative powers. Members may serve on standing committees related to academics, administration, examinations and other areas, but these are meant to aid syndicate decision-making faster and do not confer executive authority. Such roles require small meeting rooms, not personal offices. Legally, they are entitled solely to temporary accommodation, whether on campus or elsewhere at the university's expense. Syndicate members are often nominated from various constituencies and may be academically outdated or politically backed individuals, lacking the expertise or vision needed for university growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Many are unfamiliar with even the basic University Act and Statutes. But when members aligned with the ruling party form a caucus, they may promote narrow agendas. Interestingly, real politicians like MLAs or MPs who serve on syndicates rarely engage in such behaviour. As members, they can protest against the vice-chancellor, but by risking their benefits, responsibilities, the functioning of the university and the justice owed the stakeholders. However, even their unanimous decisions, unless presided over by the vice-chancellor, are legally void. In cases of insubordination, registrars must be aware that their statutory powers ultimately depend on the vice-chancellor's discretion. An academically strong vice-chancellor aware of his power as responsibility will struggle to uphold academic standards and maintain a productive relationship with the syndicate.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chief Minister calls on Governor, raises slew of issues
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan on Sunday. The meeting, which lasted an hour, came at a time when the State's higher education sector has been witnessing deep administrative turbulence. A range of pressing issues, primarily centred on the ongoing crisis involving various State universities, including Kerala University, which remains embroiled in a prolonged administrative standoff, are learnt to have figured in the discussions. Mr. Vijayan also reportedly handed over a panel of nominees for the appointment of interim Vice-Chancellor at the Digital University Kerala. He also urged the Governor to expedite the appointment of an interim Vice-Chancellor for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. The meeting also saw discussions on several pending Bills, including the Private Universities Bill, which at present awaits the Governor's assent. The meeting marks the first formal interaction between the Chief Minister and the Governor since the 'Bharat Mata' controversy flared up. The row led to tensions at Kerala University and the suspension of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar by Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal. However, there is no official word yet on whether the issue was raised during the conversation. The Chief Minister is also said to have extended an invitation to the Governor and his family to attend the official Onam celebrations hosted by the government. The Governor is understood to have assured the Chief Minister of his full cooperation in facilitating the government's administrative initiatives. Law and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, who spoke to mediapersons, said there was nothing unusual about the meeting, which is an essential component of the democratic governance system. 'Under such a framework, both the government and the Governor are entrusted with undertaking their assigned duties. Constant interactions are necessary to ensure smooth coordination,' the Minister said. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu recently indicated that the government had commenced efforts to restore normalcy in the functioning of universities by ironing out differences.
