Police stop SFI activists who attempted to enter University of Kerala Senate building through back door as they continued their agitation against V-C Mohanan Kunnummal in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
The State government’s renewed efforts to resolve the administrative impasse at Kerala University has once again failed with Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal standing firm on the suspension of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar.
The Vice-Chancellor snubbed a second attempt made by Higher Education Minister R. Bindu at rapprochement on Wednesday as he reiterated his refusal to recognise the legitimacy of Dr. Kumar’s reinstatement.
Dr. Kunnummal returned to the university headquarters amid heavy police presence on the campus. Following a meeting with administrative officers, the Vice-Chancellor is learnt to have transferred Dr. Kumar’s e-file access to Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen, who had been assigned additional charge of the Registrar.
The Vice-Chancellor also instructed Dr. Kappen to formally notify Keltron, which has been tasked with managing the university’s digital file system, not to permit any changes to access rights without prior university approval.
While the campus remained peaceful when the Vice-Chancellor remained on campus, the atmosphere changed by afternoon. A group of Students Federation of India (SFI) activists blocked the main gate, prompting the Vice-Chancellor to exit through another gate.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor approved a file for an immediate sanction of ₹10 lakh towards the activities of the university union. The file had been rejected a day ago after it was sent by Dr. Kumar, but the same was approved after it was resubmitted by Dr. Kappen. The Vice-Chancellor also directed the Finance Officer to release the funds at the earliest.
Dr. Kunnummal has also issued a directive to withhold the Registrar’s salary. His order also states that the financial responsibility will rest solely with the Finance Officer if any external pressure prompts the salary release.
Published – July 30, 2025 07:34 pm IST
