Pinarayi terms UGC draft rules ‘bid to abolish states’ rights on higher education’

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the University Grants Commission's new draft regulations on Wednesday, accusing them of being part of a plan to completely remove states' rights in higher education.

In a significant overhaul of the procedure of naming leaders in higher education, the UGC issued new rules on Monday that essentially give state governors larger powers in appointing vice-chancellors and open the position to industry experts and public sector veterans, breaking with the tradition of selecting only academicians.

According to government sources, if the new laws are approved as written, chancellors will have more authority over vice-chancellor selection.

This is expected to have far-reaching consequences for opposition-ruled states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala, where the government and the Governor, who also serves as Chancellor of state universities, have been at odds over the academic appointment process, Indian Express reported.

Vijayan, reacting to the draft, alleged that it was a continuation of the “commercialisation, communalisation and centralisation policies imposed by the UGC and the central government”.

In a statement, the CM claimed that the idea to grant chancellors more power over vice-chancellor appointments contradicted federalism principles and fundamental values of the Constitution.

“This suggestion has shattered the constitutional perspective that the Governor should act as per the advice of the Council of Ministers. The appointment of VCs in universities in states as per the interests of the Union government (which appoints Governors), is a challenge to the concurrent list in the Constitution,” he said.

Vijayan also criticised the proposed move, which would allow people who are not professors to become vice-chancellors.

“This is just a short route to bring Sangh Parivar nominees to the top of the governance of universities. There is a strong protest against the encroachment upon the rights of states. I urge all democratic forces in the country to come out against the Sangh Parivar agenda in the UGC draft regulations,” he said.

A statement was released by the CPI(M) against the draft regulations, saying, “At one stroke, the Centre through these guidelines can appoint vice-chancellors of its choice in all state-run universities through the governor-cum-chancellors.”

“All democratic sections, including non-BJP state governments, should unitedly oppose this dangerous provision. It should be withdrawn,” the statement said.

In 2023, the CPI(M)-led Kerala government sought to remove the Governor from his position as chancellor of state universities, and the state Assembly enacted a bill to that effect.

This came at a time when the government was at odds with previous Governor Arif Mohammed Khan over his involvement in higher education that went against the government's interests. The Governor referred the Bill to the President, who has yet to provide his assent.