While the Governor has signalled his intent not to sign any legislation that went against the Constitution or eroded the autonomy of the universities, the Government has upped the ante by sending the Lok Ayukta Bill tabled in the State Assembly to the Subject Committee.

“The Government is free to do what it wants. However, a bill becomes law only after Governor signs it,” Khan told reporters deepening the confrontationist ambience. He further said the Supreme Court has clearly instructed all universities to strictly implement the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and regulations. Certain provisions in the proposed Bill were against the UGC guidelines, adding that he would not give assent to a bill that paves way for government interference in universities.

The Governor further muddied the waters by calling Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Gopinath Raveendran a criminal. The Governor has accused the Kannur VC of being a part of the conspiracy to attack him during the history congress event at the university in 2019. “This man (Raveendran) has no compunction in violating the law. He calls people who lack teaching experience for interviews,” Khan contended, referring to the selection of Priya Varghese, wife of the Chief Minister’s private secretary, K K Ragesh, as associate professor in Kannur University. The bill seeks to curtails the role of the governor in appointing Vice-Chancellors. It bill proposes to increase the number of members in the VC selection committee from three to five, to ensure the selection of candidates close to the Government.

The Governor also lashed out at Irfan Habib, a left-leaning historian who allegedly led the protests against him at the venue of the history congress by dubbing him a goonda! The intemperate outbursts of the governor has drawn flak with a large number of historians and academics openly coming in support of the Kannur VC. The ruling CPI(M) has also sharpened its attacks against the Governor with senior leader MV Jayarajan saying that the Governor has lost his mental balance completely.

Meanwhile, both the CPI(M) and the CPI have hardened their stance against the Governor. An editorial published in the CPI(M) mouthpiece Deshabhimani said the Governor’s words and actions have plumbed a new low. It may be mentioned that earlier, an editorial in the CPI mouthpiece Janayugom also had accused the Governor of waging a war against his shadow, diminishing the high office he is holding. Deshabhimani alleged that the Governor was creating hurdles in the process of legislation and causing great inconvenience to the LDF Government. He went to the extent of inordinately delaying bills and ordinances besides objecting to the policy address to the Assembly. To cap it all, he has refused to repromulgate as many as 11 ordinances forcing the to convene the assembly.

In another development which could result in total curtailment of the Governor as Chancellor, a commission appointed by the Government to suggest general reforms in the higher education sector gas recommended separate Chancellors for each university and greater role for the Chief Minister as “Visitor” of varsities. The Government has, however, promised to hold widespread discussions and legal scrutiny before implementing the reforms. (IPA Service)