The Kerala High Court’s verdict on the suspension of Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar has reignited the simmering power struggle within the university.
Sixteen Left-backed Syndicate members have formally urged Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal to convene an urgent Syndicate meeting, based on the court’s decision to leave the matter of revoking the suspension to the Syndicate’s discretion. The Left bloc sees the court direction as an advantage, which could potentially pave the way for the Registrar’s reinstatement, despite any resistance from the Vice-Chancellor.
The legal challenge was initiated by Dr. Kumar, who accused the Vice-Chancellor of overstepping his authority in ordering the suspension. Although the court stopped short of annulling the action, its decision to leave the matter to the Syndicate has emboldened those backing the Registrar. The Syndicate decision, the court ruled, would be binding on the Vice-Chancellor.
However, sources suggested that Dr. Kunnummal is unlikely to convene the meeting immediately. The Syndicate last met on September 2, and as per the Kerala University Act, meetings are mandated only once every 60 days. This allows the Vice-Chancellor some leeway in delaying proceedings without technically violating the law.
The recent meeting, which initially signalled a fragile return to normalcy, ended in fresh controversy after allegations surfaced that the Vice-Chancellor altered the official minutes. One Syndicate member also petitioned the Thiruvananthapuram City Police to register a criminal case against Dr. Kunnummal by invoking charges of forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.
The Registrar was suspended two months ago over the ‘Bharat Mata’ controversy after he attempted to call off a private event at the Kerala University Senate Hall, despite Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar being scheduled to attend the programme. While the programme went ahead despite strong protests raised by various organisations, the controversy pushed the university under the clutches of an intense administrative deadlock.
Published – September 12, 2025 04:44 pm IST
