CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas accused governors of seeking “absolute control” over state universities funded by state resources.
Published Sep 03, 2025 | 4:55 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2025 | 4:55 PM
Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Credit: x.com/rajendraarlekar
Synopsis: The latest move by Governor Arlekar is the newest chapter in a long history of friction over higher education in Kerala. Earlier, during the tenure of Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor’s office often clashed with the government on issues ranging from vice-chancellor appointments to the autonomy of institutions.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar approached the Supreme Court seeking to exclude Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from the process of appointing vice-chancellors to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University — a move that triggered sharp criticism from the state government and the ruling LDF.
In application, filed in his capacity as Chancellor of the two state-run universities, Arlekar argued that neither the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act nor the Kerala Digital University Act envisages any role for the chief minister in the appointment process.
Citing University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, the Governor contended that as the executive head of the state — with oversight of government-run and affiliated colleges — the chief minister’s participation in VC appointments would amount to a “conflict of interest.”
The plea also referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in State of West Bengal vs Dr Sanat Kumar Ghosh and Others, underscoring that a person cannot sit in judgment over matters in which they hold direct interests.
The Governor’s move immediately drew a sharp response from Kerala government.
Higher Education Minister R Bindu termed the plea “utterly regrettable,” stressing that the government does not wish to turn university campuses into “conflict zones.”
“It is only because of the chief minister’s initiative that the Digital University became a reality in Kerala. Any attempt to keep him out of the process is both childish and baseless,” Bindu said.
Condemnation also came from CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, who in a post on X accused governors of seeking “absolute control” over state universities funded by state resources.
State universities are established under state statutes, yet governors, appointed by the central Govt , seek absolute control over these institutions. They use state funds to pursue litigation, even challenging Supreme Court rulings, to undermine state Govts and suppress the… pic.twitter.com/x4yYUEzcRR
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) September 3, 2025
“They even use state funds to pursue litigation, challenging Supreme Court rulings, to undermine state governments and suppress the people’s mandate. The real question is whether these ‘modern-day viceroys’ are necessary at all,” he wrote.
The latest move by Governor Arlekar is the newest chapter in a long history of friction over higher education in Kerala.
Earlier, during the tenure of Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor’s office often clashed with the government on issues ranging from vice-chancellor appointments to the autonomy of institutions.
Khan’s interventions have frequently been backed by Supreme Court rulings stressing the need for merit-based and UGC-compliant appointments, while the government has accused him of undermining democratic processes and federal principles.
The flashpoints have been many.
For the ruling CPI(M), the battle was framed as part of a larger struggle against centralisation and the “saffronisation” of education.
For Khan, the insistence was on “cleaning up” an education system allegedly captured by political influence.
The conflict continued even after Arlekar took charge.
With the governor and the state pulling in opposite directions, the stalemate at the higher education sector continues with no immediate resolution in sight.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
