Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan who holds the position of Chancellor of universities in the state took a strange action by demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellors in 9 universities. Reacting to this directive, Kannur VC Dr Gopinath Raveendranath who locked his horns with the governor earlier declared that he won’t tender his resignation. 

“As per the rule, the chancellor can demand the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor on grounds of financial irregularities and misconduct. So far, such an incident was not reported at Kannur university. If he terminates me, let him do it. I will decide my next step after it,” said Kannur VC as challenging the governor.

“ A case related to the appointment of Kannur VC is pending before the Supreme Court. How could the Chancellor terminate VC amid this?” he asked while responding to the media.

As per the governor’s order, Vice-Chancellors in 9 universities including Kannur University, University of Kerala and University of Calicut must tender their resignation on Monday by 11.30 am.

“I received the letter around Sunday evening. I have been asked to submit my resignation letter on Monday. I don’t have any plans to resign. If he terminates me, let him do it. Such an action was not taken against the Vice-Chancellors in any state in India,” pointed out Gopinath Raveendran.

Meanwhile, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Vice-Chancellor KM Madusoodanan refused to respond to the governor’s order.

Kerala University Vice-Chancellor VP Mahadevan Pillai will retire from service on Monday. Interestingly, he is also named in the order.

Vice-Chancellors of the University of Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kannur University, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, University of Calicut, Thunachath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University have been asked to resign from the post.
The governor issued the order upholding the Supreme Court order which quashed the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

The apex court had quashed appointment of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Vice Chancellor Dr Rajasree M S, saying that as per the University Grants Commission, the search committee constituted by the state should have recommended a panel of not less than three suitable persons among eminent people in the field of engineering science to the chancellor but instead it sent only one name.