Chennai: Prominent educationists in the state have welcomed Governor and Chancellor CH Vidyasagar Rao's move of seeking remarks on vice-chancellors meeting with former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's close friend Sasikala Natarajan.
V.Vasanthi Devi, former vice-chancellor of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, said it's high time the chancellor asked for an explanation and ensured proper action was taken.
When asked whether the chancellor has the power to question the vice-chancellors, she said, “The chancellor is the final authority as far as universities are concerned. He can question the vice-chancellors as it is he who appoints them.”
“The chancellor is the guardian of the autonomy, integrity and moral high ground that every university and vice-chancellor must hold. The VCs have met an extra-constitutional authority and the universities must be strictly guarded against such fall in moral standards,” she urged.
M.Anandakrishnan, former vice-chancellor, Anna University, said, “The chancellor can ask questions about the conduct of the vice-chancellors. If the vice-chancellors action brings disrepute to their office or it prevents them from acting independently and effectively the chancellor has the right to question such action.”
He said the Governor has done a right thing and it is a “correct move.”
Senior advocate and constitutional expert K.M. Vijayan said, “As on date Sasikala Natarajan does not hold any political office. But the meeting is morally wrong. The question revolves around the dignity of the vice-chancellor's office. Certainly, the chancellor can ask explanations with the vice-chancellors as he is the highest authority of the university.”
Meanwhile, Anna University Teachers' Association (AUTA) demanded the removal of Tamil Nadu Open University Vice-Chancellor M.Bhaskaran from the Anna University's Vice-Chancellor's search committee.
“Bhaskaran was also part of the team that met Sasikala Natarajan. With such political tilt, he is not fit to head the independent committee which is to choose the vice-chancellor for the renowned Anna University,” said S.Chandramohan, secretary, AUTA.
