V-C walks out of Kerala University Senate meeting amid protests over counsel replacement
An emergency Senate meeting of the University of Kerala descended into disorder on Thursday after Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Mohanan Kunnummal reportedly walked out shortly after it began, following protests by Left-supported members.
The protesters accused the V-C of 'anti-democratic' actions, particularly the replacement of the university’s standing counsel in the High Court. They raised slogans and displayed placards, demanding adherence to university regulations.
The meeting had been convened to approve degrees for students, reportedly after it emerged that nearly 50 international students faced visa expiration. However, Left-backed Senate members argued that the V-C had failed to convene regular Senate, Syndicate, and Academic Council meetings. 'After four months, he called a special Senate. A regular meeting should have been held,' said Senate member G. Muraleedharan. He also alleged that the V-C had delayed awarding a PhD to a Dalit student despite resolutions by the Syndicate and Senate.
When members pressed for a date for the next Syndicate meeting—last held 98 days ago—the V-C did not respond and left, Muraleedharan added.
Meanwhile, BJP-backed Senate members demanded that Left-backed members apologise for disrupting the meeting, accusing them of jeopardising students' higher education and employment prospects. They described such disruptions as a recurring problem.
In a related development, Thomas Abraham, who was removed as standing counsel by the V-C, has resigned. Abraham's removal had sparked controversy, as he argued that only the Syndicate had the authority to appoint or replace the counsel. The High Court, however, declined to stay the V-C’s order on a petition from a Left-backed Syndicate member, leading to Abraham's resignation. He has been instructed to hand over case files to his successor, Girija Gopal.
