Kerala University crisis: Efforts on to find solution acceptable to both sides
It is still not clear how the Governor or the VC would respond to this solution.
It is still not clear how the Governor or the VC would respond to this solution.
It is still not clear how the Governor or the VC would respond to this solution.
After Higher Education Minister R Bindu talked to Kerala University vice chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummel and the Left members of the Syndicate and established a temporary truce, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday.
Though the parties involved are tight-lipped about what transpired at the nearly one-hour meeting, the CM's visit is further confirmation that the LDF government is not keen to prolong the administrative crisis in Kerala University. Sources in the Chief Minister's office said that the CM wanted a solution acceptable to both sides, but one that would adhere to the rules and statutes of the University.
The CM wanted two things from the Governor. He should immediately pick temporary VCs for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology from the list of names the state government had handed over to the Raj Bhavan after the High Court verdict. The HC order had said that the Governor's appointment of K Sivaprasad and Ciza Thomas, ignoring the government's names, was not legally sustainable. The Governor, rather than go in for an appeal, might honour the HC verdict.
The other favour the CM wanted from the Governor was for him to instruct the Kerala VC to urgently convene the Syndicate. This is tricky for both sides. Dr Mohanan Kunnummal has already made it clear that the "suspended" registrar K S Anil Kumar could not be involved in the proposed Syndicate meeting.
On the other hand, the Syndicate members owing allegiance to the LDF government insist that the VC had no right to suspend Anil Kumar. It is learned that the government, too, would not approve of a solution that would end up sacrificing Anil Kumar.
This is a minor deadlock that has made the ceasefire seem a bit fragile. But ways to resolve it are being explored. One is for Anil Kumar to keep away from the next Syndicate meeting. It is said that the VC could appoint a joint registrar to serve notices to the Syndicate members calling them for the meeting.
However, the Left members of the Syndicate have said that this solution would go out of the window if the VC insists on having Mini Dejo Kappen, the University's planning and development director he appointed as the 'temporary registrar', as the stand in registrar at the proposed Syndicate meeting. In short, for the Syndicate to cooperate, not just Anil Kumar but Mini Kappen should also be kept out of the Syndicate meeting.
The next proposal for an amicable settlement is linked to the fate of "suspended" registrar K S Anil Kumar. The Syndicate wants the suspension revoked but, in turn, it would set up a three-member committee to probe into the charges against him, particularly the VC's charge that Anil Kumar had dishonoured the Governor by attempting to cancel a programme attended by him.
Syndicate members Onmanorama talked to said that the VC, under section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, had the right to invoke emergency powers but, contrary to what the VC claimed, had to get his decisions ratified by the Syndicate. Dr Kunnummal had said that the VC only had to report his decision to the Syndicate, indicating that the VC was not answerable.
However, the Act seems to dispute the VC. Here is what section 10(13) says after empowering the VC to take over the powers of the Syndicate in an emergency: "... and shall, at the next session of the Syndicate report the action taken by him to that authority for such action as it may consider necessary." This clearly means the Syndicate has the power to decide on the action reported by the VC.
"So at the next Syndicate, we will strike down the suspension order but a committee will be formed to probe into the complaints of the VC. The VC can also provide his nominee to this committee," a Syndicate member told Onmanorama.
It is still not clear how the Governor or the VC would respond to this solution. "Any committee set up by the Syndicate will favour Anil Kumar. The Governor is checking with legal experts on the nuances of section 10(13) (of the University Act) and if the legal opinion says that the Syndicate can democratically overrule the VC's decisions, then the Governor might agree to the compromise formula. The Governor has made it clear that he wants to play by the rules," a source close to the Governor said.