Kerala govt amends Kerala Kalamandalam deemed university rules to remove Governor as its Chancellor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF government on Thursday amended the rules of Kerala Kalamandalam deemed university to remove the Governor as its chancellor, a position which would now be filled with an eminent person from the field of Art and Culture.

Suiting action to its words that it no longer wants Governor Arif Mohammed Khan at the helm of universities in the state, the Pinarayi Vijayan headed dispensation issued an order amending the rules and regulations of the deemed university of Art and Culture.

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Khan is presently Chancellor of the Kerala Kalamandalam according to its website. The move comes amidst the government's ongoing tussle with Khan over functioning of universities, including appointment of Vice Chancellors, in the state and its announcement that it will come out with an ordinance to replace him with eminent academicians at the helm of varsities in Kerala.

The amended rules of the deemed university also state that the governance system and management structure of the Kerala Kalamandalam shall be in accordance with the decision of the state government.

The Kerala higher education minister R Bindhu made it clear that the left government would convene an Assembly session next month and bring out a legislation if Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was not prepared to sign the ordinance stripping him of the role of chancellor of universities in the state.

The LDF government had on Wednesday decided to come out with an ordinance to replace the Governor as Chancellor of universities in the state and appoint eminent academicians to that post, a move which has been opposed by both the Congress and BJP. The move comes amidst the government's ongoing tussle with Khan over functioning of universities, including appointment of Vice Chancellors, in the state.