Guv wants nine VCs to quit today, govt to call his bluff

Thiruvananthapuram: In a move that could lead to a full-fledged crisis in the relation between the governor and the state government, governor and chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday sought the resignation of vice-chancellors of nine universities in the state. He cited the recent Supreme Court order quashing the appointment of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University vice-chancellor for violation of UGC regulations. The vice-chancellors have been asked to submit their resignations by 11.30 am on Monday.
The governor's decision came hours after the LDF announced an agitation against Khan, accusing him of trying to implement a "Sangh Parivar agenda" in the state's universities. Reacting to the latest decision, the CPM said it "violated all limits of democracy" and said the VCs were appointed according to laws in place in the state. Higher education minister R Bindu said the government was exploring legal options and the preliminary understanding of the government is that there is no need for the vice-chancellors to resign "immediately".