Kerala University row: Fresh questions raised over appointment of Poornima Mohan

By Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the appointment of Poornima Mohan, spouse of R Mohan who’s serving because the officer on particular obligation on the Chief Minister’s workplace, in Kerala University kicked up a row, extra information got here out elevating additional questions over her appointment.

The Save University Campaign Committee, a whistleblower group functioning for the welfare of the varsity, mentioned the tutorial qualification of a level in Sanskrit language analysis was intentionally added as a part of the eligibility standards together with a post-graduate qualification in Malayalam within the notification issued for the appointment of the editor of the Malayalam lexicon.

“It is clear that the addition to the eligibility criteria was aimed at appointing Poornima, a Sanskrit teacher at Kalady Sanskrit University. It is a mystery that the appointment notice issued on January 28 was not published in the newspapers or in the departments of the university,” M Shajar Khan, secretary of the committee mentioned in a press release.

The marketing campaign committee additional mentioned that neither the University vice-chancellor nor the syndicate has the ability to alter the {qualifications} specified within the University ordinance. The case was much like the nepotism costs in opposition to the previous Higher Education Minister Ok T Jaleel, it mentioned. The committee known as for a complete inquiry into the appointment made by the Vice-Chancellor and the fast removing of Poornima from the put up of Malayalam lexicon editor.

On Sunday, the committee lodged a criticism with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan that Poornima, a Sanskrit instructor with the Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, was appointed the editor of the Malayalam lexicon flouting qualification norms. The criticism says the appointment of a Sanskrit instructor, ignoring senior Malayalam professors of the college, is in opposition to the college statute that solely individuals proficient within the language are eligible.

Reacting to this, Kerala University Vice-Chancellor V P Mahadevan Pillai had advised mediapersons that the appointment was made by a variety committee comprising consultants. However, the college has not clarified whether or not the appointment is in violation of the stipulation that solely language-proficient individuals could be appointed within the put up. Leading Malayalam students like Sooranad Kunjan Pillai, B C Balakrishnan and linguist P Somasekaran Nair had been the lexicon editors until date.

Meanwhile, Poornima advised mediapersons on Monday that she had joined the service as per the principles and laws of the college. “I have applied as per the eligibility criteria and specifications given in the notification. So the university needs to explain the present controversy,” she mentioned.

KSU barges into workplace

Six KSU activists on Monday barged into the workplace of the Malayalam lexicon editor on the Kerala University workplace within the capital round 1 pm and raised slogans in opposition to Poornima demanding her removing. Though they tried to gherao the editor, the Cantonment police rushed to the spot and arrested them. All of them have been booked below Section 146, 147 and 148 (Rioting) of the Indian Penal Code.