TN Higher Education Minister says CM need not be chancellor of universities; DMK, VCK criticize the remark

Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan. File | Photo credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister and Congress MLA P Viswanathan’s statement in Madurai on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) that the current government led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam need not stick to the previous government’s position that the chief minister should be the chancellor of universities drew criticism from Dravida MunnegalK) Kati Kazhagamtha (Chishi VidruCKTH)

During his visit to Madurai, the minister said that the present government – led by the TVK, in association with the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML – should not consider it imperative to stick to the previous DMK government’s stand that only the chief minister should be the chancellor of state-run universities. He also said that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will decide on it.

Former Higher Education Minister and DMK Deputy General Secretary K. Ponmudy strongly condemned Mr. Viswanathan’s remarks.

“Highly reprehensible”

In a statement, Mr Ponmudy said: “During the DMK government led by MK Stalin, a bill to appoint the Chief Minister as Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Universities was passed by the legislature with the support of all non-BJP parties, including the Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), AIADMK, and the President’s Bill was referred to the MD or MK as the MK. And it remains without approval, the statement by Viswanathan – higher education minister of the newly formed TVK government and a member of the Congress party – that the governor can continue as university chancellor, is highly condemnable, it is totally against the rights of the state.

“A member of the Congress party who originally supported the passage of this bill speaking against it today suggests that the Congress has compromised its ideology to enjoy power,” he further said.

Ignoring SC Verdict: VCK

D. Ravikumar, Member of Parliament and VCK leader, joined the minister and took to social media to point out that the statement amounted to abandoning what Tamil Nadu had fought for and ensured for the state’s rights. “Is the Honorable Minister of Higher Education issuing this statement with the approval of the Chief Minister?” Mr. Ravikumar asked, marking the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s official X handle.

Mr. Ravikumar also said that the statement was in complete disregard of the Supreme Court verdict. On 4 February 2026, the Supreme Court set aside an interim order of the Madras High Court that stayed amendments to some State Universities Acts passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, including one that transferred the power to appoint the Vice-Chancellor from the Governor to the Chief Minister.

After the laws were passed, the governor sat on them for a long time without giving his assent, prompting Tamil Nadu to approach the Supreme Court. On 8 April 2025, the Supreme Court took serious note of the long delay in giving its assent and ordered that the bills be deemed granted.

Subsequently, a Tirunelveli advocate filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court challenging the constitutionality of the amended laws. On 21 May 2025, the vacation committee of the Madras High Court passed an interim order suspending the amendment of the laws.

Published – 27 May 2026 15:46 IST