Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin
Credit: PTI File Photo
Chennai: Terming as a “direct assault on federalism and state rights” new rules issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) that gives Governor broader powers in appointing Vice-Chancellors, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said the state will legally and politically fight the “unacceptable overreach.”
Reports suggested that if the UGC approved the new regulations, the Chancellors (Governors) will get greater control over selection of Vice-Chancellors.
Stalin’s opposition to the new rules stem from the ongoing battle that his government is involved with the Raj Bhavan in Chennai over a host of issues, including matters related to higher education. The confrontation between the Governor and the Government has delayed the appointment of VCs to six state-funded universities for the past one year.
If the new rules come into existence, the tension between Raj Bhavan and the DMK dispensation will only escalate.
The Chief Minister, in a statement quoting reports in this regard, said the authoritarian move by the Union BJP government seeks to centralise power and undermine democratically elected state governments.
“The new UGC regulations granting Governors broader control over VC appointments and allowing non-academics to hold these posts are a direct assault on federalism and state rights,” Stalin said, added that education must remain in the hands of those chosen by the people, not dictated by “Governors acting at the BJP government’s behest.”
Since education is a subject under the Concurrent List in the Constitution, Tamil Nadu considers the UGC’s move to issue this notification unilaterally as “unconstitutional.” “This overreach is unacceptable, and Tamil Nadu will fight it legally and politically,” he added.
The hard-hitting statement by Stalin comes a day after Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi walked out of the state assembly citing non-singing of the National Anthem at the beginning and end of his address, intensifying the confrontation between the Raj Bhavan and the government.
Tamil Nadu, which leads the nation with the highest number of top-ranking higher education institutes, will not stay silent as our institutions are stripped of autonomy, Stalin said.