Universities Must Guard Education, Not Be Derailed By Political Considerations : Kerala High Court In Kerala University Case

Justice T.R. Ravi, while dismissing a writ petition filed by Kerala University Registrar Prof. Dr. K.S. Anilkumar against his suspension, observed that the ongoing tussle between the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar reflect an “unsavoury” state of affairs in the University's administration.

Quoting the Supreme Court's words in Prof. Yashpal v. State of Chhattisgarh (2005), the bench remarked that “mighty as are the political changes, far deeper are the fundamental questions which will be decided by what happens in the universities.” The judgment stressed that universities are the “sanctuaries of the inner life of the nation” and must be guided only by academic considerations, not political pressures.

The case stemmed from the Registrar's cancellation of a seminar organised by Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi on June 25, 2025, at the University Senate Hall, citing the presence of religious emblems and potential unrest. The Vice Chancellor viewed the act as a serious lapse, particularly as the Governor of Kerala was attending the event, and suspended the Registrar.

While the suspension was later challenged before the varsity Syndicate, the High Court held that the Syndicate meeting which claimed to have revoked the suspension was invalid. At the same time, the Court directed the Vice Chancellor to convene a properly constituted Syndicate meeting to decide on the continuation of the suspension.

In conclusion, the Court warned that the credibility of the higher education system depends on universities maintaining their academic focus. It remarked, “The University is supposed to be the guardian of the Higher Education System and its functioning cannot be derailed by political or other considerations and should be guided only by academic considerations.”

Case Title - Prof. Dr. K S Anilkumar v The University of Kerala and Ors.

Case No - WP(C) 28246/ 2025

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 555

Counsel for Petitioner - Elvin Peter P J (Sr.), K R Ganesh, Adarsh Babu C S, Ahsana E, Ashik J Varghese

Counsel for Respondent - Thomas Abraham (SC- Kerala University), Girijia K Gopal, P Ravindran (Sr.), P Anirudhan, T C Krishna, M R Sabu, Aparna Rajan, Sreedhar Ravindran, Fathima Parveen PS.

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