Appointment of Interim Vice-Chancellor, nomination of Senate members at MG University in Kerala ignite a row

The appointment of an interim vice-chancellor at Kottayam’s Mahatma Gandhi University and the nomination of members to its Senate have sparked political controversy, with allegations that several candidates have close ties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who is also the chancellor of universities in the state, last week appointed Mavootha Duraipandi as interim vice-chancellor and nominated 30 members to the Senate.

Of the 30 nominees, 15 are selected from various sectors, the rest are heads of university departments and deans. Allegations have since surfaced that all the nominees in the general category along with some ward representatives are affiliated with the Sangh Parivar.

Members of the general category include BJP national executive member J. Prameela Devi and leaders associated with various collector organisations, including Bharatheeya Abhibashaka Parishad, college teachers’ sangh, school teachers’ sangh and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

While the Left Democratic Front (LDF) raised objections, sections within the United Democratic Front (UDF) also expressed concern, although they refrained from publicly criticizing the decision to avoid a confrontation with the governor.

‘breaking the rules’

“The greatness and excellence of Kerala’s universities, which serve as beacons of progress in the state’s knowledge, lies in their autonomy. The Senate, Academic Council and Syndicate are the democratic forums that protect this sanctity. However, the university authorities in Kerala now compete in ignoring this framework, refusing to even convene these secret bodies and violating the general secrecy rules of the Federation of S. University Teachers’ Associations,” the statement said.

Official sources said that though an informal list of eligible candidates from MG University for the post of Vice-Chancellor was sent to the Chief Minister’s office, it was decided not to forward it to the Governor. The decision was reportedly taken to avoid a confrontation over the appointment of an interim vice-chancellor, as it appeared that such a dispute could affect the later selection of a permanent vice-chancellor.

There are also concerns that the nomination of BJP-aligned members to the Senate could affect the choice of a representative to the three-member panel responsible for selecting the permanent vice-chancellor. It was also pointed out that the delay in setting up the new syndicate could affect the balance of power in the Senate as members of the syndicate serve as ex-officio members of the body.

Published – 06 Jun 2026 20:03 IST