Dlitt row heats up, guv says V-C can’t write 2 sentences properly
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday hit out at Kerala University vice chancellor Mahadevan Pillai over the content and quality of a letter Pillai wrote in connection with the ongoing controversy surrounding the rejection of Dlitt for President Ram Nath Kovind.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Governor Khan said, “My head hung in shame. Pity, the V-C can’t write two sentences properly... This university is one of the oldest in the country.”
The letter, dated December 7, 2021, was written by Pillai after the Governor met him at the Raj Bhawan and sought an explanation for rejecting the D.litt proposal. HT has a copy of the letter.
Calls and texts to Pillai for comment remained unanswered. Higher education minister R Bindhu said the D. Litt proposal never came to her or the government and that she was not aware why the V-C was not willing. She refused to comment further saying she did not want to court controversy.
Speaking about the meeting with Pillai, Governor Khan said, “He told me some people were not interested in the idea. When I insisted, he said some syndicate members. When I asked if he called a meeting of the syndicate, he said no. Then I told him to write the reason on a paper and give it to me.”
Khan kept up his attack saying, “Whatever I asked, he failed to give a proper reply. After the letter, I feel ashamed... I feel pity, this is one of the oldest varsities of the country.”
On December 8 last year, Khan had written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asking him to take over chancellorship of the state’s varsities.
THE LETTER WAS WRITTEN AFTER PILLAI MET GUV