Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in Keralam faces hea

The interim Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, D. Mavoothu, is facing a broader challenge inside the university, with United Democratic Front-backed administrative and academic bodies joining Left-backed employee unions in opposing his decisions.

UDF-backed bodies question valuation camp appointments

The latest dispute centres on the appointment of directors to paper valuation camps, with UDF-backed Senate members questioning the selections on the grounds of seniority, academic excellence and alleged violation of university regulations.

The controversy has intensified existing resentment among UDF-appointed Syndicate members over the Vice-Chancellor’s administrative decisions, including the large-scale transfer of university employees.

The opposition from UDF-backed bodies signals widening discontent over Mr. Mavoothu’s decisions within the university after Left-backed employee unions had already raised objections.

UDF-backed Senate members have alleged that the Vice-Chancellor has been favouring individuals associated with Sangh Parivar organisations while assigning academic responsibilities.

Their criticism comes after differences between the two sides had surfaced earlier over Mr. Mavoothu’s nomination of Senate members allegedly associated with Sangh Parivar organisations.

Allegations over Kozhenchery and Thripunithura camps

University Senate member Sajith Babu and KPCTA State executive committee member Praveen Sakalya alleged in a statement that such an approach would undermine the university’s neutrality and academic freedom.

“The Vice-Chancellor is the head of the university and should not act as an agent of the Sangh Parivar. The university should not be turned into a platform for fostering Sangh Parivar organisations,” said Dr. Sakalya.

The two alleged that a junior teacher had been appointed camp director at the Kozhenchery valuation camp by bypassing a senior Associate Professor.

They claimed that organisational considerations had influenced the decision at the Kozhenchery valuation camp.

They also alleged that a similar situation had arisen at the Thripunithura valuation camp.

According to them, the appointments are significant because the functioning of valuation camps is directly linked to the credibility of the university’s examination system.

“The functioning of valuation camps is directly linked to the credibility of the university’s examination system. Therefore, appointments for camp directors should be based solely on academic excellence, seniority, teaching experience, and university regulations,” said Dr. Babu.

The dispute over camp directors has therefore become more than an internal administrative disagreement, with the UDF-backed Senate members presenting it as an issue tied to the credibility of examinations and the rules governing academic responsibilities.

Earlier Board of Studies appointments cited

The two also pointed to the induction of representatives allegedly associated with Sangh Parivar organisations into the university’s UG and PG Boards of Studies during the tenure of the previous Left Democratic Front government.

They alleged that there had been little opposition to such appointments at the time.

They claimed that the lack of opposition then had paved the way for similar developments now.

By linking the present valuation camp appointments to earlier Board of Studies inductions, they sought to place the current dispute within a longer-running argument over academic appointments in the university.

Their criticism has focused on whether academic responsibilities are being assigned according to seniority, academic excellence, teaching experience and university regulations, or on the basis of organisational considerations.

Transparency sought in appointments and transfers

Mr. Babu and Dr. Sakalya called for transparency and strict adherence to seniority, academic excellence and university regulations in academic appointments and the allocation of responsibilities.

Their demand covers both appointments and the broader allocation of academic responsibilities within the university.

Meanwhile, resentment is also brewing among UDF-appointed Syndicate members over the widespread transfer of university employees initiated by the Vice-Chancellor.

The Syndicate members have pointed out that a general transfer was effected only two weeks ago.

They have questioned the need for another round of reshuffling so soon after that general transfer.

The transfer issue has added another layer to the discontent over Mr. Mavoothu’s administrative decisions.

Together, the objections over valuation camp directors, Senate nominations, Board of Studies inductions and employee transfers show how the opposition to the interim Vice-Chancellor has moved across academic and administrative questions inside Mahatma Gandhi University.

The developments were published on September 24, 2026, at 06:22 pm IST.

Source: The Hindu