The accounts were frozen after the university organized an ‘Ekatma Manava Darshan-Bharat’s World View’ event in March. It was organized on the occasion of 60 years of three-day lectures by Hindutva ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
Lok Bhavan Karnataka, the office of the Governor, has for the second time written to the state government to lift the freeze on the bank accounts of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru.
The accounts were frozen after the university organized an ‘Ekatma Manava Darshan-Bharat’s World View’ event in March to mark 60 years of Hindutva ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay’s three-day lectures at the KSOU campus and the vice-chancellor was on the host committee.
R. Prabhu Shankar, Special Secretary to the Governor, said in his letter that the Governor and the Chancellor of the University have been informed that the Branch Manager, State Bank of India (SBI) has informed the University that all bank accounts of the University have been frozen as per the instructions issued by the Government.
“As already mentioned, the direction assumes the character of a premature, repressive and unreasonable measure that results in paralyzing the functioning of the university. The freezing of bank accounts has a direct impact on academic activities, payment of salaries, payment of scholarships and fulfillment of legal obligations, thereby seriously harming the interests of students, faculty and the general public,” he said.
He asked the government to withdraw the notice issued to the bank as soon as possible and send a report on the action taken as directed by the governor.
The issue was raised by Congress legislators in the Legislative Council following which the Ministry of Higher Education issued a notice to Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa V. Hals. Since the Vice-Chancellor’s response was satisfactory, the department informed the banks where the university had accounts and asked them to freeze them.
Earlier, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had also written to Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar to initiate measures to lift the freeze on bank accounts.
Published – 08 May 2026 20:34 IST
