Universities must safeguard education, not sway to politics: Kerala HC
The court said the credibility of higher education depends on universities ensuring their functioning is not disrupted by extraneous considerations.
The court said the credibility of higher education depends on universities ensuring their functioning is not disrupted by extraneous considerations.
The court said the credibility of higher education depends on universities ensuring their functioning is not disrupted by extraneous considerations.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday observed that universities, as guardians of the higher education system, must be guided solely by academic considerations and not derailed by political or other external pressures. Justice T R Ravi made the observation while dismissing a writ petition filed by Kerala Technical University Registrar Prof Dr K S Anilkumar challenging his suspension.
The judge noted that the tussle between the Vice Chancellor and Registrar reflected an “unsavoury” state of affairs in the university’s administration. Quoting the Supreme Court’s ruling in Prof Yashpal v State of Chhattisgarh (2005), the court remarked that “mighty as are the political changes, far deeper are the fundamental questions which will be decided by what happens in the universities,” adding that they are the “sanctuaries of the inner life of the nation.”
The case arose after the Registrar cancelled a seminar by Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi at the University Senate Hall on June 25, citing the presence of religious emblems and risk of unrest. The Vice Chancellor, terming it a serious lapse since the Kerala Governor was present, suspended him. While a varsity Syndicate meeting later claimed to revoke the suspension, the High Court ruled it invalid and directed the Vice Chancellor to convene a properly constituted meeting to decide the matter.
Emphasising the need for academic focus, the court said the credibility of higher education depends on universities ensuring their functioning is not disrupted by extraneous considerations.
(With LiveLaw inputs)