Supreme Court ends Kerala university VC appointment deadlock
The Supreme Court has said it will constitute a five-member search committee to break the deadlock over picking vice chancellors for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Digital University of Kerala.
Both the state government and governor must suggest four names each within a day, with the final panel to be constituted by the Court from these names, plus one member nominated by the UGC.
Fight started when Kerala's Governor made interim VC appointments
This isn't just about university jobs—it's about keeping politics out of higher education.
The fight started when Kerala's Governor made interim VC appointments without consulting the state, which the High Court struck down.
The Supreme Court has now stepped in, reminding everyone to follow proper rules and work together so academic leadership doesn't get politicized.
On 1 side is Governor Rajendra Arlekar, backed by AG
On one side is Governor Rajendra Arlekar (also Chancellor), backed by Attorney General R Venkataramani; on the other is Kerala's Left Democratic Front government, represented by Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta.
The state insists it should have a say in these appointments, while the governor defends his actions as legally sound.
Similar battles over university appointments have happened in West Bengal
Similar battles over university appointments have happened in West Bengal too—so much so that even there, the Supreme Court had to step in.
All this shows how crucial fair and transparent selection is for running universities well—and why courts are making sure politics doesn't call all the shots.