Kannur University Vice-Chancellor M.K. Abdul Khader’s initiative to end the impasse in the university administration following the indefinite relay fast by the pro-Left Kannur University Employees’ Union (KUEU) in protest against the suspension of Deputy Registrar and president of the union K.P. Sudheer Chandran has been inconclusive, with the union deciding to intensify the stir from next week until the suspension order is withdrawn.
The Vice-Chancellor met the KUEU leaders on September 25 following his meeting with heads of various branches of the university. He urged the union leaders to call off the ongoing relay fast which had affected the smooth functioning of the university.
The university authorities alleged that university employees belonging to the KUEU were assembling at the venue of the relay fast after signing in their attendance register. The KUEU leaders insisted that the agitation would be called off only after revoking the suspension order.
The university authorities said that the Vice-Chancellor could not take a decision on revoking the suspension as Mr. Chandran had been placed under suspension by the Syndicate on September 10.
Directive
Moreover, since the suspension was for circulating a pamphlet during a special convocation function on August 19 attended by Governor and university Chancellor Nikhil Kumar, the Governor’s office had directed the university to take appropriate action and report. No action could be taken unless Mr. Chandran gave his response in writing to the charges levelled against him, the university authorities said.
Reply given
Mr. Chandran, when contacted, said that he had submitted his reply to the charge sheet on Thursday. In his reply, he reiterated his earlier response on September 9 to a memo that the university authorities were yet to produce documents to prove his culpability in the alleged circulation of pamphlets during the special convocation function. He also said that the charge sheet contained allegations relating to what he did after his suspension. He, however, denied all the allegations, he added.
He further said that he might take legal measures to question the university authorities’ order restricting his movement on the campus.
Meanwhile, the KUEU leaders said that the ongoing agitation would be intensified from September 30.
