‘Choice of Vice-Chancellor goes against social justice’

Political leaders on Thursday strongly opposed the appointment of M.K. Surappa as the Vice-Chancellor of the Anna University on the grounds that he was not a native of Tamil Nadu.

In a statement, Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani contended that the appointment would be against social justice and would trample upon the State’s rights. Mr. Veeramani alleged that in recent times, a Telugu-speaking person, whom he identified as an RSS-affiliate, had been appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University and a Kerala-based Brahmin had been appointed to the post at the Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University. [Minister for Tamil Language and Culture Ma Foi K Pandiarajan had denied that the V-C was a Brahmin.]

“This approach is being followed by Tamil Nadu Governor and the Tamil Nadu government is keeping mum. Is it fair according to the Constitution? All parties and educational institutions should condemn it,” he said.

MDMK leader Vaiko said that the appointment of Prof. Surappa was a gross injustice to the academia in Tamil Nadu since there were many eminent professors in the State who were eligible for the top post. By appointing a native of Karnataka who had no experience of the academic environment in Tamil Nadu, Governor Banwarilal Purohit had not only acted against the interest of the State but had proved his loyalty to his masters in New Delhi, he charged.

‘Great injustice’

“Great injustice is being done to the people of the State in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. This comes at a time when the State is already being denied of his legitimate due of water from Cauvery,” he said and demanded that his appointment be rescinded.

In a separate statement, PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss contended that the higher education sector in Tamil Nadu should not be entrusted to those hailing from other States. “Only a person who understands Tamil Nadu’s education system, society and economic realities can do the job well. It will not be possible for someone who hails from Karnataka to do this job. Only Tamils should be appointed as VC of Anna University,” he said.