Don’t delay Kerala University VC appointment, says HC, Legal News, ET LegalWorld – Legal Firms

KOCHI: The row between the Kerala University senate and the chancellor over nominating a representative to the selection committee to pick a new vice-chancellor will spread and affect the reputation of the university if not controlled now, the Kerala high court said on Wednesday. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan is the chancellor.

While considering petitions challenging the chancellor’s decision to remove 15 senate members, Justice Devan Ramachandran said the row was continuing because nobody else other than the parties involved was interested in it. This is the time for everyone to get involved so as to find a solution, the court said, while exhorting all stakeholders not to damage the reputation of a university that has been performing well until now.

The university cannot go forward without a vice-chancellor, as he or she has a lot of responsibilities related to day-to-day affairs, the court said. Stating that the present row is deplorable, it said the appointment of the vice-chancellor should not be delayed further by invoking technicalities and controversies.

‘Decision only after senate meeting’

It also said it is not worried about persons involved or controversies involved but about the future of the students and the university. At an earlier hearing, the court had asked whether a decision on the nomination could be taken in the senate meeting on November 4. On Wednesday, the university informed the court that a decision on the nomination can only be taken after the senate conducts a meeting and decides on the existing legal issues.