Latest news with #MohananKunnummal
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala University Syndicate members slam Vice-Chancellor over branding students ‘anti-nationals'
Kerala University's Left-backed Syndicate members on Wednesday condemned Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Mohanan Kunnummal for allegedly branding its students 'anti-nationals' over a WhatsApp post related to a cancelled seminar. Syndicate Standing Committee on Finance convener G. Muraleedharan described the purported remarks as deeply irresponsible and unbecoming of the office of a Vice-Chancellor. In a statement, Mr. Muraleedharan explained that the issue arose after a student from the university's Department of Tamil shared an article published in a Tamil magazine on a departmental WhatsApp group. 'The article, which dealt with the politics of war, was wrongly interpreted and circulated as linked to a non-existent seminar. Upon assessing the matter, the Head of the Department instructed the student to delete the post. No such event was conducted,' he stated. Despite there being no formal complaint, the Vice-Chancellor allegedly acted on misinformation from vested interests and made public remarks, accusing students of engaging in anti-national activities. These statements, the Syndicate members asserted, have tarnished the university's reputation. 'The Vice-Chancellor hastily drew conclusions and made serious accusations, turning a students forum into a political flashpoint. All Syndicate members, except two affiliated to the BJP, jointly expressed their protest against the Vice-Chancellor's actions [on Tuesday]. The Syndicate strongly criticised him for becoming a tool for those seeking to spread misinformation and disturb campus harmony at a time when the nation is collectively combating extremism,' Mr. Muraleedharan lamented. He added that any departmental seminar or conference requires prior approval and adhere to established protocols.
India Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala University Vice-Chancellor under fire for halting seminar on Pahalgam attack
A controversy has erupted at Kerala University after Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal instructed the cancellation of a seminar on the Pahalgam terror attack, citing concerns over its content and political seminar, which was organised by the Department of Tamil and scheduled for May 9, was set to address the Pahalgam terror attack, its security lapses, and the connection between the attack and the upcoming Bihar elections. The department regularly holds discussions on various topics, but the seminar in question drew attention when one of the research scholars shared an article from a Tamil website on their WhatsApp group. Titled 'Pahalgam attack: Truths drowned in nationalist frenzy,' the article discussed the attack in detail and suggested that the event was linked to political motivations surrounding the learning of the seminar, Dr Kunnummal directed the university registrar to halt the event and requested an explanation from the Head of the Department of Tamil. The Head of Department (HOD) clarified that the seminar was the initiative of a PhD scholar, who had posted the article. A memo was subsequently issued to the scholar, who apologised for the incident. The Department of Tamil decided to drop the topic from the discussion entirely. However, the issue took a new turn during the Kerala University Syndicate meeting held the following day. Members of the Left faction raised objections, accusing the Vice-Chancellor of attempting to distort the narrative. They pointed out that the scholar had shared the article before the Operation Sindoor counter-terrorism operation, questioning the VC's motives. In response, BJP members in the syndicate opposed these controversy deepened when the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), criticised the Vice-Chancellor for allegedly stifling free speech. The SFI accused Dr Kunnummal of trying to label students as anti-nationals for political reasons. 'Mohanan Kunnummal is more interested in propagating the politics of RSS. What is the situation we are in when RSS agents are giving us certificates of patriotism?' the SFI said in a statement, accusing the Vice-Chancellor of undermining student autonomy and suppressing dissent. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dispute over promotion issue leads to face-off between V-C and Left members at KU Syndicate meet
A special Syndicate meeting held at Kerala University (KU) on Monday to discuss the Governor's show-cause notice regarding a controversial promotion turned chaotic as the Left-backed members engaged in heated exchanges with Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Mohanan Kunnummal. The row centres around the promotion of Syndicate member S. Nazeeb, who is also the general secretary of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA). Dr. Nazeeb, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kerala Studies, had earlier petitioned the Syndicate to have his nearly-18-month period of contract service at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit counted towards his Career Advancement Scheme as 'past service' for promotion as Associate Professor. At a Syndicate meeting in November last, the Vice-Chancellor had refused to issue implementing orders for a decision to promote Dr. Nazeeb, citing that his past experience did not meet the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. The matter was later referred to the Governor for review. While Dr. Nazeeb had approached the Kerala High Court against the Vice-Chancellor's alleged inaction, the court directed the issue to be decided by the Governor. Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-backed Syndicate members on Monday rejected the Governor's objections and maintained that the Syndicate decision should stand. Tension escalated when a futile attempt was made to pass a resolution against the Vice-Chancellor. BJP-backed members opposed the Syndicate's move, arguing that the promotion would violate the UGC guidelines.
