Thrissur: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who is also the Chancellor of universities, has sought a report on the strike being carried on for the past one-and-a-half months at the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) by employees affiliated to a CPM union.
The report was sought from Agricultural Production Commissioner, Ishita Roy, who is holding charge of the post of Vice Chancellor.
The information on the employees is being collated by the university authorities after the Governor asked for their details.
As per reports some employees posted in other districts are arriving at the university headquarters at Mannuthy, Thrissur, for taking part in the strike even without applying for leave.
The strike is against the action of former Vice Chancellor R Chandrababu, demoting C V Denny, general secretary of the Employees’ Association which is allied to the CPM. The action against Denny was taken on October 3 on the charge of posting derogatory remarks on the social media against Ramya Haridas, MP. In an unusual action, Denny was demoted by two grades from the post of assistant registrar to section officer.
The Governor’s action comes amidst allegations that neither the government nor ministers are making attempts to end the strike.
CPI(M) stir against CPI
The hostility between service organisations loyal to the CPM and CPI has been blamed for the agitation.
The organisation allied to the CPM claimed that Denny was demoted to avenge him for opposing the CPI for facilitating nepotism in university appointments and favouring administration by interim officers.
Denny had alleged that the appointments and transfers made by the former Vice Chancellor were politically-inspired and done at the behest of the CPI.
Revenue Minister K Rajan of the CPI is the MLA representing the Ollur constituency under which falls Mannuthy where the headquarters of the university is situated.
The agitating employees charge that attempts are being made to destroy the service organisations loyal to the CPM and to foster those allied to the CPI. They blamed legislator Rajan for acts inimical to the CPM unions.
