Appointment of senate members: Curious case of recommended names and political affiliates

Thiruvananthapuram: The Governor’s decision to appoint four students to the Kerala University senate went to court, but reports indicate that this was due to the fact that the list submitted by the Vice Chancellor to the Raj Bhavan did not include the names of students. It is in this context that the governor appointed four ABVP-affiliated individuals to this post. 

The Chancellor usually nominates rank holders, students who have proved prowess in national-level arts and sports competitions, etc as student representatives. The list for this is prepared by the VC and submitted to the governor for consideration. This time, however, the names were reportedly not prepared and this is where all the confusion supposedly began. 

However, documents procured via RTI show that the university had shortlisted 57 students who demonstrated excellence in various fields and the list of eight students among them who showed willingness for senate appointment was submitted to the VC. 

Nevertheless, if such a list is not submitted, the chancellor can always demand it. Sources in the university say that the chancellor had asked for the lists both in 2013 and 2016. This time though, no list was demanded and ABVP candidates were appointed. This violation of the code was pointed out by the court as well.

Minister Bindu’s letter to re-appoint Dr Gopinath Ravindran as Kannur University VC was quite controversial. The Supreme Court clarified in this case that the governor should appoint VCs without yielding to external pressure. Meanwhile, the list of ministers to the Kerala senate was also handed over.

It is learned that the minister had given a similar list for the Calicut senate as well. But instead of directly going to the governor, the names suggested were included in the list prepared by the VC. The governor rejected this list and made appointments on his own, which became a setback for the government.

The Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League had also sent in names of individuals to be appointed as the chancellor’s nominees. A few among them were selected and the governor exercised his own free will for others.

In the case of Kerala University, 15 people with alleged BJP affiliations were nominated by the governor in disregard of the official list. According to reports, only two were appointed without considering political affiliations.