Power tussle deepens at Kerala University as V-C issues instructions to bypass Registrar in governance

The administrative uncertainty at Kerala University continued unabated on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) when interim Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas instructed Joint Registrars to send files directly to her, bypassing the office of the Registrar, K.S. Anil Kumar.

His suspension following the ‘Bharat Mata’ row involving Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, and the subsequent reinstatement by the Syndicate under questionable grounds remains a matter of contention.

According to official sources, the Vice-Chancellor has refused to recognise any official action undertaken by the Registrar. While Dr. Kumar reported for duty on the basis of the Syndicate decision and has resumed handing files, Dr. Thomas has declined to accept or process any document routed through him. She also instructed officials not to accept any files processed or forwarded by the Registrar.

An interim order by the Vice-Chancellor had earlier assigned the responsibilities of the Registrar to Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen. However, she has not assumed the post, citing the absence of a formal office order from the university administration.

The crisis further unfolded when a file from the academic section seeking urgent recognition of a Panjab University degree, required for the applicant’s admission to higher studies in Kerala University, was routed through the Registrar. Dr. Thomas returned the file and instructed the Joint Registrar concerned to resend it directly to her. Following this, she approved the equivalency certificate.

Meanwhile, Kerala Raj Bhavan, which received a report from the Vice-Chancellor on Dr. Kumar’s suspension revocation, is reportedly weighing various options including nullifying the Syndicate decision. Disciplinary action could also be initiated against Joint Registrar P. Harikumar, who allegedly defied the Vice-Chancellor by participating in the Syndicate meeting after its purported adjournment.