A meeting of the of the University of Kerala on Monday witnessed heated exchanges as the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-backed members argued with Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal over unresolved decisions from previous meetings.
The LDF-aligned members criticised the Vice-Chancellor for not approving a list to appoint 12 contract lecturers, despite a favourable decision made a month earlier. The list, prepared by a selection committee, aimed at appointing lecturers on a contract basis in 11 subjects for the university’s four-year undergraduate programmes.
The debate intensified as the Syndicate, divided between the LDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party members, continued to spar over various issues. One point of contention was a longstanding demand raised by S. Nazeeb, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kerala Studies, to have his 18 months of contract service at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit recognised as ‘past service’ for promotion under the Career Advancement Scheme. The Vice-Chancellor maintained that the request violated university norms and hence it was referred to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for further consideration.
Another controversial issue was the seminar organised by the Department of Sanskrit recently. Left-backed members accused the Vice-Chancellor of inviting the Governor without consulting the Syndicate, further fuelling tensions within the meeting.
Published – December 23, 2024 10:33 pm IST