No wrong in reaching compromise with Governor for students’ sake, says Kerala Minister V. Sivankutty

Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Saturday (July 19, 2025) said the government “sees nothing wrong in reaching a compromise” with the Governor if it helps ensure that students’ education remains unaffected.

Mr. Sivankutty was responding to reporters’ questions on whether the government had resolved its disputes with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar regarding the functioning of universities in the State.

The Minister claimed that while the government “wants all universities in the State to function properly, the same cannot be said of the Governor or some Vice Chancellors.”

“They intend to disrupt the State’s higher education sector, which maintains one of the best academic standards in the country. A lot of foreign students come here to study,” he alleged.

The Minister reiterated that the government wants the higher education sector and universities to function smoothly.

“It also wants students’ education to remain unaffected. Therefore, we are ready to make any compromise to ensure that — and there is nothing wrong in that,” Mr. Sivankutty added.

The Governor and the State government have been at loggerheads over several issues, including the recent suspension of the Registrar of Kerala University.

K.S. Anil Kumar was suspended for attempting to cancel a private programme organised by a religious outfit and attended by the Governor at the Kerala University Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed.

The incident led to dramatic scenes and unprecedented protests by Left student and youth outfits since the beginning of the month.

Peace was restored at the university on July 18, following a reported meeting between Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu.