Students Federation of India (SFI) activists marched to the Kannur University headquarters and burnt an effigy of university Vice-Chancellor M.K. Abdul Khader demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the submission of his PhD dissertation.
A section of the media reported that Dr. Khader had obtained his PhD by flouting norms for research scholars.
The allegation was that he had submitted his thesis in two-and-a-half years while the minimum period required for submitting the PhD thesis for part-time scholars without MPhil was four years.
The media also reported that Dr. Khader had marked his attendance during the course period on holidays and non-existent dates.
The SFI activists marched to the university administrative block at Thavakkara here on Monday and burnt the Vice-Chancellor’s effigy. SFI leader M. Shajar inaugurated the march. SFI leader P. Prashobh spoke.
Dr. Khader denied that there were irregularities in the award of his PhD, saying that he had obtained prior permission from the then Kannur University Vice-Chancellor for submitting his thesis completed in two-and-a-half years.
He also reportedly said that it should be checked and investigated to see if the attendance register had been manipulated by some vested interests.
University authorities, when contacted, said that regulations concerning submission of PhD theses were framed by the Academic Council of the university.
A Vice-Chancellor could relax norms concerning minimum period required for thesis submission on request from the candidate provided the decision would be subject to ratification by the council, they said.
They also said the expert committee comprising three subject experts from other universities who evaluated the thesis had recommended the award of PhD to Dr. Khader.
