TN Higher Education Minister Ponmudy To Boycott Kamaraj Univ Event, Says Guv Politicising Convocation

The Minister said that fears if the Governor is indulging in politics so he is boycotting the event.

Minister Ponmudy (File Photo)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education K Ponmudy on Tuesday said that he has decided to boycott Madurai Kamaraj University convocation scheduled for Wednesday reportedly due to issues over choosing the guest of honour and for politicising the convocation. 

The guest of honour for the event is Union Minister of State L Murugan.

Talking to reporters, Ponmudy said, the Governor-Chancellor has decided on the guest of honour for the event but the decision goes against the convention and even Governor-Chancellor's office did not budge despite our explanation.

He said that he was the pro-Chancellor but still the decision was made without informing him. The Chancellor should have sent the panel of guests for approval by consulting with Higher Education Department, he said, as per a report on The Hindu.

The Minister also said that the Secretary of Higher Education Department got in touch only after all the decisions were made by Chancellor's office.

Further, the Minister explaining the norm said that usually the Chancellor presides over the convocation and the pro-chancellor will speak after him, then if CM is invited as the chief guest he will deliver his address. Hence, he said, "I tried to explain to VC that the Minister of State should not speak before me. However, I fear that the Governor is indulging in politics so I'm boycotting the event."

Meanwhile, the chief guest of the convocation would be P Balaram, former Director of Indian Institute of Science.

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