The State government and the Raj Bhavan are equally responsible for wrecking the higher education sector, once the pride of Kerala, Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan has said.
The “power struggles” between the government and the Raj Bhavan have plunged the functioning of universities into uncertainty. The most recent events at the University of Kerala are a continuation of the power struggles and conflicts that have persisted over the past two years, Mr. Satheesan said in a statement on Monday (July 7, 2025).
The Left Democratic Front(LDF) government has over the years treated the universities and colleges as departments of the AKG Centre, when they should have introduced timely academic reforms. On the other side, the Sangh Parivar has attempted to saffronise higher education and the syllabi. The consequent lowering of academic standard is the reason for students seeking higher education options elsewhere, he said.
Majority of the universities in the State have no full-time Vice-Chancellors. Administration is carried out by “in-charge” VCs. The State government and the Raj Bhavan should stop using the universities and other educational institutions as venues for their political dramas.
The Governor, Mr. Satheesan said, should not forget the Constitutional limits and boundaries placed on his office.
