University Law Amendment Bill: Govt Can't Be Given Power To Operate VCs, Says Kerala Governor Arif Khan

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said, "Kerala CM wrote to me assuring me that there will be no interference but now they are proposing that they will appoint Vice-Chancellor."

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan ( Image Source :ANI )

Chennai: Amid the ongoing controversy over University Laws Amendment Bill, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Friday came down heavily against the Kerala government and said that the state government cannot be given the power to operate the Vice Chancellors. He also said that the Kerala CM earlier assured that there will be no interference but now they are proposing to appoint a VC and he will not allow that to take place. 

Addressing the reporters, Arif Mohammed Khan said, “Everything will be considered on merit. Govt cannot be given the power to operate the Vice Chancellors. I am saying it clearly, this will amount to executive interference.”

“The Chief Minister wrote to me assuring me that there will be no interference and now they are proposing that they will appoint Vice-Chancellor. That would mean erosion of autonomy of educational institutions. As long as I'm here, I won't allow erosion of autonomy of Universities,” he said.

CM wrote to me assuring me that there will be no interference & now they are proposing that they will appoint Vice-Chancellor. That would mean erosion of autonomy of educational institutions. As long as I'm here, I won't allow erosion of autonomy of Universities: Kerala Governor pic.twitter.com/GA4vPPaKHf

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2022

The statement of the Governor comes on the same day as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan broke his silence over the issue. He said that his government has done no wrong.

Recently, he was criticized by the Governor since his private secretary's wife got a teaching job despite getting the lowest score in research at Kannur University. 

Reacting to the allegation, Vijayan asked whether just because someone was working in CMO's office their near ones cannot apply for jobs. He also questioned the Governor for saying such things and said that if there's anything wrong then those who did it will face the consequences. 

The LDF government passed University Laws Amendment Bills despite stiff opposition from UDF members on August 30.