The move came a day after the LDF government decided to bring an ordinance to remove Khan as chancellor of all state-run universities.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. (South First)
The Kerala government has amended the rules of the Kerala Kalamandalam deemed-to-be-university to remove Governor Arif Mohammad Khan from the office of the chancellor.
An eminent person from the field of art and culture will replace Khan, according to an order issued on Thursday, 10 November.
The unprecedented but expected eviction came amid hectic moves to remove Khan as the chancellor of all state-run universities. The Raj Bhavan has been locked in a bitter battle with the government over the appointment of vice-chancellors.
The government invoked a University Grants Commission rule that allows the sponsor of deemed-to-be universities to appoint the chancellor.
The state government is the sponsor of Kerala Kalamandalam, a centre for learning Kerala’s performing arts, at Cheruthuruthi in Thrissur district. Being the sponsor, the state does not need the Governor’s assent for removing or appointing the chancellor.
Governor Arif Muhammad Khan. (South First)
According to the Kerala Kalamandalam website, the institute was declared a deemed-to-be-university for Art and Culture by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development on the advice of the University Grants Commission on 14 March, 2006.
The Kerala government approved its Memorandum of Association and Rules on 15 May 2007.
Khan was appointed the chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam in 2015. However, according to the amendment now made to the University Act, he can no longer continue as the chancellor of the deemed-to-be-university.
“The Governance System & Management Structure of Kerala Kalamandalam (Deemed-to-be-University for Art & Culture) shall be in accordance with the decision of the Government of Kerala”, the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs said in the order.
“The Governance System and Management Structure of the deemed-to-be-university are as per the provisions contained in these rules and orders issued and to be issued hereinafter by the Government of Kerala as and when occasion arises [sic]”, the order continued.
The order further stated that the amendment to the act also meant that the chancellor would be an eminent person in the field of arts and culture, and would be appointed by the sponsoring body — the Kerala government.
“The Chancellor shall hold office for a term of five years from the date of assuming office and shall be eligible for reappointment for one more term; provided no person shall be eligible to hold the office on attaining the age of 75 years [sic],” the order added.
On Wednesday, 9 November, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Cabinet had decided to bring in an ordinance to remove the Governor from the post of chancellor of all state-run universities. It was decided that eminent academicians would be appointed to the posts.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. (South First)
The next day, Higher Education Minister R Bindu held a news conference in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, where she reiterated the government’s decision to bring in an ordinance to strip Khan of his powers as the chancellor.
On Khan’s statement that he would refer the ordinance to the President of India, she said: “He has every right to do so”.
The minister also warned that if the Governor was unwilling to sign the ordinance, the LDF would bring a legislation in the next Assembly session slated for December.
The Congress and the BJP have opposed the LDF government’s decision to strip the powers of the Governor.
Incidentally, the CPM has decided to fight the Governor “legally, politically and constitutionally.”
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