File image of Karnataka State Open University in Mysore. | Photo credit: MA Sriram
Amid the ongoing controversy over a three-day event at the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysuru to mark 60 years of lectures by Hindutva ideologue and Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya, the state government on Monday said the event, which was scheduled to be held on March 2, cannot be held on March 2.
“What was the need to organize this? There was a breach of protocol. There was no explanation as to how the event could help higher education. They have to postpone the programme,” Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar told the Legislative Council after Congress member Ramesh Babu raised the issue. “They cannot organize it in KSOU. He (Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa V. Halase) has been asked to explain the reason. Action will be taken based on the inquiry,” the minister said.
‘Ekatma Manav Darshan Bharat’s Worldview’, a three-day event commemorating 60 years of Deendayal Upadhyaya’s lectures on Ekatma Manav Darshan was scheduled to be held from March 25 at KSOU in association with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and Prajna Pravah.
Dr. Sudhakar said, “Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is also the chancellor of the (state-run) universities, were invited. Till Sunday (March 22) afternoon, I was not even aware of the event even though he was the pro-chancellor (of KSOU). When I asked at the reception, what was the name of the vice-chancellor there. Committee.”
He said that even the government was not informed about the incident. “It’s a private initiative. It’s something else when the area is rented. But in this case, it can be seen that the KSOU is sponsoring the event and providing the space,” the minister pointed out. Others invited to the event included BL Santosh, National General Secretary of BJP, Prafulla Ketkar, Editor of RSS flagship magazine Organizer Weekly, Vice Chancellors of Jawaharlal Nehru University Santishree D. Pandit and Gujarat University Neerja A. Gupta, Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, among others.
Congress member Ramesh Babu earlier, while raising the issue, took exception to the event being held at KSOU as there was no representation from the state government or any education expert, breaking protocol.
“KSOU is a state university and should operate within the parameters set by the government. It has to organize events with educational and related activities. It spends government money but has not invited anyone from the government,” he noted, demanding a lawsuit against the vice-chancellor for abusing his powers and promoting personal interests.
Announcement of VC
The state government has issued a show-cause notice to Sharanappa V. Halase, vice-chancellor of KSOU, who organized the conference on ‘Ekatma Manav Darshan – Bharat’s Wordview’, in an alleged breach of protocol.
Deputy Secretary of Higher Education N. Kumar, who protested against the planned program without bringing it to the notice of the government, pointed out that neither the district in-charge minister nor the minister of state concerned had been informed or called. He added that it was a “breach not only of etiquette” but also a display of “disrespect for the government”. A written explanation was requested.
“The minister of higher education is the pro-chancellor of the university and it is the protocol to invite the governor along with the district in-charge minister and the cabinet minister while organizing such a programme,” he said. Taking a unilateral decision is against the Karnataka State Open University Act, 1992, Mr. Kumar said.
“Karnataka State Open University logo has also been included in the invitation letter of this program and all expenses of this program are considered to be borne by the university,” he pointed out.
Published – 23 March 2026 17:14 IST
