Bharat Mata row: Kerala University Registrar suspended for 'insulting' Governor

Thiruvananthapuram: The Governor- government row in Kerala over Bharat Mata picture aggravated further with the Kerala University vice-chancellor placing under suspension the university registrar on charges of insulting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar by cancelling a function that he was attending at the university senate hall following tension over use of Bharat Mata picture.

It was on June 25 that a private function at the senate hall at the university headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram witnessed tension with pro-CPI(M) and pro-Congress students' outfits strongly protesting against the display of Bharat Mata picture at the venue. Subsequently the university registrar K S Anil Kumar cancelled the permission for conducting the function citing that religious pictures were used against the norms. But the Governor later reached the venue and spoke at the function.

It was in this connection that university vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal suspended the registrar from service on Wednesday citing disrespect to the Governor by cancelling a function that he was attending.

Strongly reacting, Kerala Higher Education minister R Bindu said that the Kunnummal, who was made the acting vice-chancellor by the governor owing to his RSS loyalty, was misusing his powers. As per the university norms only the Senate, which is the appointing authority of the registrar, can take action against the registrar, she said.

Anil Kumar was learnt to be planning to move legally against the suspension. He stated that the decision to cancel permission to the function was taken much before the Governor reached the spot.

Kunnummal was given charge of the Kerala University vice-chancellor by former governor Arif Mohammed Khan as the vice chancellor selection process was caught up in a tussle between the governor and government.