In the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of Kerala University registrar K S Anil Kumar, the state government and pro-Left Syndicate members have voiced their support for the official. The Higher Education Minister, R Bindu, stated that only the university Syndicate has the right to take action against Kumar, implying that his suspension was a misuse of authority by Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal.
The day’s developments come after the registrar was suspended over the Bharat Mata portrait row on July 3rd. The controversy began when Anil allegedly allowed a portrait of Bharat Mata, which is considered controversial by some, to be displayed during a cultural event on campus.
In response to the suspension, General Education Minister V Sivankutty strongly criticized Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, accusing him of acting like a goon of the governor. Sivankutty also condemned the manner in which the Vice-Chancellor handled the situation.
The protests against the Vice-Chancellor escalated as left-backed Syndicate members, teachers, and employees held demonstrations at the university in solidarity with the registrar. They accused the Sangh Parivar, a Hindu nationalist umbrella organization, of creating a situation reminiscent of past days.
The standoff between the Vice-Chancellor and the Syndicate members, along with the support from the state government, has escalated the controversy. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen how the university will resolve this issue and whether the registrar’s suspension will be overturned.
