After SC Quashes Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Appointment, Kerala Governor Accuses CM Vijayan Of Pushing Him To Reinstate Ravindran

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, on Thursday (30 November), alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan exerted pressure on him to reinstate Gopinath Ravindran as the vice-chancellor (VC) of Kannur University.

Addressing reporters, Khan clarified that State Higher Education Minister R Bindu should not be held responsible, as the Chief Minister utilised her to advocate for the reappointment of Ravindran.

This statement from the Governor follows the Supreme Court's decision to invalidate the Kerala government's move to reappoint Ravindran as the VC of Kannur University.

A division bench of the Kerala High Court had previously, on 23 February of the preceding year, dismissed an appeal challenging a single-judge order that upheld Ravindran's reappointment, asserting it was conducted in accordance with the law and that he did not illegitimately assume the position.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, declared, "The impugned judgment and the order passed by the high court dated 23 February 2022, are hereby set aside. As a consequence, the notification dated 23 November 2021, reappointing the respondent number 4 (Ravindran) as the vice chancellor of Kannur University is hereby quashed."

These comments come amid ongoing legal war in Supreme Court between Governor Khan and Kerala government over delay in passing bills.