Government steps in to break administrative deadlock in Kerala University; VC returns under heavy security

In a move aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of Kerala University, the government has decided to intervene.
Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu said she had personally spoken to Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal and that his return to the university was based on that conversation.
Kunnummal returned to the university—which had been facing administrative paralysis—today, after a gap of 20 days. The VC stated that it was the unrest on campus that led to his absence. He added that some individuals, posing as students, were responsible for the violence.
Earlier, the CPI(M)-affiliated student organization SFI had announced that it would block the VC if he attempted to return to the university. Kunnummal, incidentally, arrived under heavy security—escorted by two police vehicles and protected by a ring of nearly 300 police personnel on campus. The police presence was in anticipation of possible protests by SFI; however, no protests occurred today.
The Vice-Chancellor said he came trusting the assurance that he would not be blocked and expressed gratitude for not being obstructed. He added that he had stayed away to prevent further unrest. The VC also criticised some individuals for treating student life as a lifelong profession, using it to stage continuous agitations and create disorder in higher education institutions.
The deadlock at the university began on July 2, when Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal suspended Registrar KS Anil Kumar for cancelling a private event at the Senate Hall attended by Governor Rajendra Arlekar, where a portrait of Bharat Mata with a saffron flag was displayed. On July 6, the Syndicate—dominated by Left-affiliated members—revoked Anil Kumar’s suspension, arguing that the Vice-Chancellor lacked the authority to suspend the Registrar under the Kerala University Act.
However, the revocation took place during a meeting that the VC had formally dissolved and exited, which, in his view, rendered the decision invalid. Meanwhile, Mini Dijo Kappan, Director of Planning, was given full additional charge as Registrar by the VC. Anil Kumar, claiming that his suspension had been revoked, also resumed duties—leading to a situation where both began functioning simultaneously as Registrars.
Minister Bindu said the government will hold talks with both the VC and the Syndicate to resolve the issue. “If needed, I will speak with the Governor as well. The Chief Minister has not directly intervened in the matter yet. Let me try first. As for who the Registrar is, that will be clear if one refers to the law," said the Minister, suggesting that only the Syndicate has the power to suspend the Registrar.
Meanwhile, Kunnummal reiterated that Anil Kumar remains under suspension and asserted that his decision to suspend the Registrar was fully in accordance with university statutes. “A suspended person accessing files is a criminal offense. A complaint has been filed with the police. It was the Registrar [Anil Kumar] and the Syndicate who created the administrative crisis,” said the VC, who also alleged that goons had been brought in to support Anil Kumar.
Kunnummal added that although he had signed over 1,800 degree certificates today, he had not signed a single file submitted by the suspended Registrar.
India