Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s reappointment of Mohanan Kunnummal as Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) has ignited a strong backlash from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), education officials, and teachers’ groups who view the decision as a departure from democratic norms. Kunnummal, whose initial term as VC was set to end on October 25, was reappointed for another five years or until he turns 70. Additionally, Governor Khan, acting as Chancellor, named him interim VC of the University of Kerala until a permanent VC is selected, with both roles commencing on October 26.
The LDF and Health Minister Veena George argued that the Governor’s reappointment overstepped boundaries, as guidelines permit only a six-month extension for an outgoing VC while a new one is chosen. T P Ramakrishnan, LDF convener, criticized the move as it excluded government input, stating, “Appointments in public universities should involve consultation with the elected administration, but this decision has extended the term far beyond allowable limits.” Minister Veena George echoed this, labeling the reappointment a unilateral action that overlooked democratic norms.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) also condemned the decision, claiming it disrupts the governance of Kerala’s universities. FUTA president Professor Chakrapani and general secretary S Naseeb announced that educators across the state’s universities would observe a “black day” on October 25 in protest. They further criticized the Governor for his past opposition to Vice Chancellor reappointments, asserting that his interference disrupted the search process for a new KUHS VC, ultimately placing Kunnummal back in office without broader input.
