Calicut University: row over MLA’s Syndicate membership

October 21, 2014 11:17 am | Updated May 23, 2016 06:44 pm IST - MALAPPURAM:

A controversy has erupted on the Calicut University campus with Vice Chancellor M. Abdul Salam accusing Registrar T.A. Abdul Majeed of violating the university norms by issuing a membership cessation notice to Syndicate member T.N. Pratapan, MLA.

Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) activists too joined the issue on Monday when the former gheraoed the Registrar and the latter rallied behind Dr. Majeed.

Sources in the Vice Chancellor’s and the Registrar’s office said that Dr. Salam had ignited the issue to divert attention from the ongoing struggles on the campus.

The Registrar had issued a membership cessation memo to Mr. Pratapan after he stayed away from three Syndicate meetings consecutively. The Registrar’s action was in accordance with the University Act and Statute.

However, in a memo issued to the Registrar on Sunday, the Vice Chancellor blamed Dr. Majeed for not seeking his permission and failing to follow the university rules. “I am also disappointed to note that you are unable to understand the provisions of Act and Statute properly and discharging your duties as Registrar in an irresponsible manner,” said the memo, seeking an explanation from him in three days.

Dr. Salam has asked Pro Vice Chancellor K. Ravindranath to conduct an inquiry into the incident, which Mr. Pratapan alleged as a conspiracy.

Refuting Dr. Salam’s claims, university officials pointed out that the Registrar had acted in accordance with the Act and Statute. Chapter VI of the University Act, Clause 44 (4), says that “if an elected member or any authority of body of the University fails to attend three consecutive meetings of that authority or body, he shall cease to be a member of such authority or body and there upon the Registrar shall intimate him that he has ceased to be such member. Provided that such authority or body may, if satisfied that there was sufficient cause for the failure of the member to attend the meetings, restore him to its membership.

Leaked out

It is alleged that a copy of the cessation notice marked to the Vice Chancellor was leaked out to the media from his office. Now it is for the Syndicate to decide on restoring the membership of the MLA.

Meanwhile, Syndicate members sent a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor asking him to take action against an employee who appeared on a TV news programme and criticized the Syndicate members.

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