Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in Keralam faces heat from UDF-backed bodies after Left unions

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After Left-backed employee unions, the interim Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, D. Mavoothu, is now facing opposition from United Democratic Front (UDF)-backed administrative and academic bodies, signalling a widening discontent over his decisions within the university.

The latest flashpoint is the appointment of directors to paper valuation camps, with UDF-backed Senate members questioning the selections on grounds of seniority, academic excellence and alleged violation of university regulations. The issue has added to the resentment among UDF-appointed Syndicate members over the Vice-Chancellor’s administrative decisions, including the large-scale transfer of university employees.

The differences between the two sides had surfaced earlier after Mr. Mavoothu nominated Senate members allegedly associated with Sangh Parivar organisations. UDF-backed Senate members have now stepped up their criticism, alleging that the Vice-Chancellor has been favouring individuals associated with such organisations while assigning academic responsibilities.

In a statement, University Senate member Sajith Babu and KPCTA State executive committee member Praveen Sakalya alleged that such an approach would undermine the university’s neutrality and academic freedom.

“The Vice-Chancellor is the head of the university and should not act as an agent of the Sangh Parivar. The university should not be turned into a platform for fostering Sangh Parivar organisations,” said Dr. Sakalya.

The two alleged that a junior teacher had been appointed camp director at the Kozhenchery valuation camp by bypassing a senior Associate Professor. They claimed that organisational considerations had influenced the decision and alleged that a similar situation had arisen at the Thripunithura valuation camp.

They said the appointments were significant as the functioning of valuation camps is directly linked to the credibility of the university’s examination system.

“The functioning of valuation camps is directly linked to the credibility of the university’s examination system. Therefore, appointments for camp directors should be based solely on academic excellence, seniority, teaching experience, and university regulations,” said Dr. Babu.

The two also pointed to the induction of representatives allegedly associated with Sangh Parivar organisations into the university’s UG and PG Boards of Studies during the tenure of the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. They alleged that there had been little opposition to such appointments at the time, which, they claimed, had paved the way for similar developments now.

They called for transparency and strict adherence to seniority, academic excellence and university regulations in academic appointments and the allocation of responsibilities.

Meanwhile, resentment is also brewing among UDF-appointed Syndicate members over the widespread transfer of university employees initiated by the Vice-Chancellor.