Ciza Thomas, Saji Gopinath V-Cs as government, Governor reach truce

Ending a prolonged and acrimonious stand-off betwixt Kerala Lok Bhavan and the State government, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar connected Tuesday appointed Ciza Thomas arsenic Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Saji Gopinath arsenic V-C of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala – DUK).

The appointments, notified by Lok Bhavan, came aft Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dropped his long-held objection to Dr Thomas’ elevation, portion the Governor followed suit successful the lawsuit of Dr. Gopinath arsenic some sides accepted a compromise look pursuing a conciliatory gathering held 2 days ago.

Dr. Thomas has been appointed KTU V-C for a word of 4 years oregon until she attains the property of 65, whichever is earlier, portion Dr. Gopinath has been appointed DUK V-C for a play of four-year term.

Official sources said the breakthrough came during the caller gathering erstwhile the Chief Minister had gone to Lok Bhavan to invitation the Governor for the government’s Christmas reception. Though Higher Education Minister R. Bindu and Law Minister P. Rajeeve had earlier conveyed the government’s position, the Governor remained steadfast connected his stance and adjacent expressed displeasure implicit the Chief Minister’s lack from the discussions.

The compromise besides comes against the backdrop of ongoing proceedings successful the Supreme Court. Annoyed by the lack of statement among some parties, the apex tribunal had asked the hunt committee headed by erstwhile Supreme Court justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to urge names for the 2 posts. Lok Bhavan stated that the appointments would beryllium formally reported to the Supreme Court connected Thursday.

The improvement signals a imaginable thaw successful the government’s three-year-long hostility towards Dr. Thomas, dating backmost to her assignment arsenic interim V-C of KTU by erstwhile Governor Arif Mohammed Khan without the State government’s concurrence. The determination was made aft the Supreme Court invalidated the assignment of past KTU V-C M.S. Rajasree.

Notably, these are the archetypal regular appointments to State-run universities successful the past 5 years, a play during which astir institutions were helmed by interim V-Cs. Mohanan Kunnumal, V-C of the Kerala University of Health Sciences, has been the lone regular appointee during this period. He has besides been officiating arsenic the V-C of Kerala University. He was reappointed for a five-year word successful October 2024.