Vice-Chancellor Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) sought an explanation from the registrar for participating in a procession held as part of the university’s festival in which allegedly defamatory banners and slogans against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar were raised.
Ciza Thomas, the vice-chancellor, on Thursday asked Mothi George, the registrar, to submit his reply within three days. She also asked him to submit the details of the faculty members who participated in the procession in Kalady town. The event was organized by the university union led by the Students Federation of India (SFI).
The university administration said the presence of the registrar and faculty members in the procession, in which defamatory banners and slogans were raised against the governor, who is also the chancellor of the university, was a violation of service norms. Mr. George was unavailable for comment despite repeated efforts. The Save University campaign committee filed a complaint against the registrar for participating in the parade.
SFI activists staged a protest against Mr. Arlekar on the occasion of Sree Sankara Jayanthi celebrations held at the Kalady campus on April 21, alleging that he was trying to implement the Sangh Parivar’s agenda. Mr. Arlekar recently ordered the authorities to initiate action over allegations that a university syndicate tried to award a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree to a candidate who did not meet the minimum academic requirements. He also recommended action in the controversy related to printing irregularities and the publication of the unfinished biography of Chattampi Swamikal by the university.
Published – 07 May 2026 21:54 IST
