The upcoming Kerala University Senate meeting, set for November 1, has ignited a fresh controversy as it will take place more than four months after its last session. This extended gap has prompted accusations of a potential violation of the university’s statutory regulations.
According to an official notification sent to all senate members by Registrar in-charge Resmi R., the meeting is slated for 8:30 a.m. at the university headquarters. Members have been requested to submit any resolutions they intend to propose and questions they wish to address ahead of the session.
The Kerala University Act explicitly states that the senate must convene at least once every four months. Given that the last meeting was held on June 17, the subsequent session should have occurred by October 16 to comply with this statutory timeframe. The failure to meet this deadline is at the heart of the current dispute.
Chancellor’s Presence and Past Remarks
Critics among the senate members are voicing strong disapproval, claiming that this deviation directly contravenes established university rules. However, university officials have come forward to defend the scheduling, explaining that the date was chosen to accommodate the availability of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who also holds the powerful position of Chancellor within the university.
Sources indicate that the Governor’s attendance was deemed crucial for the proper conduct of the proceedings, and considerable effort went into securing a date that would ensure his participation.
Since taking office as the Governor of Kerala, Mr. Arlekar has notably broken from tradition by actively attending senate meetings across various state universities. During the last Kerala University senate meeting, the Chancellor had openly expressed serious concerns about what he perceived as the escalating influence of political dynamics within colleges and university campuses throughout the state.