Blow to VC; Dr. K S Anilkumar Allowed to Remain as Registrar

Kochi: Kerala High Court has allowed Dr. K S Anilkumar to continue as Registrar of Kerala University, effectively setting aside the Vice Chancellor's controversial suspension order. The development comes after the University Syndicate itself overturned the suspension, leading Anilkumar to withdraw his petition in court. The High Court accepted his request, noting that the petition no longer stands in light of the Syndicate's decision.
The suspension was originally issued by Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal on the reported direction of Raj Bhavan, following Anilkumar’s objection to the use of saffron flags and RSS imagery during a programme held at the University Senate Hall. Anilkumar had demanded the removal of a photo featuring a woman holding a saffron flag and warned that the event would be cancelled for violating university conditions. The Registrar’s action reportedly angered the Raj Bhavan, leading to immediate disciplinary steps from the Vice Chancellor.
Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal issued the suspension order without consulting the Syndicate, which holds statutory authority over appointments and disciplinary actions involving officers like the Registrar. The Syndicate later convened a special meeting on Sunday and unanimously cancelled the suspension, calling the action illegal and in violation of university rules.
With the Syndicate’s decision in place, the court stated that the Vice Chancellor has the option to approach the Chancellor—the Governor of Kerala—if he is dissatisfied. The interim Vice Chancellor Ciza Thomas’s move to assign Registrar duties to Dr. Mini Kappan has also been rendered invalid following the court's observation and the Syndicate's revocation.