Kerala veterinary varsity V-C quits after Governor cancels contentious order

KVASU Vice-Chancellor resigns after controversial reinstatement of students linked to student's death in Kerala.

Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) Vice-Chancellor in-charge P.C. Saseendran tendered his resignation on Monday.

Dr. Saseendran stepped down from the position a few hours after Governor Arif Mohammed Khan cancelled the Vice-Chancellor’s contentious order to reinstate 33 students of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Pookode in Wayanad, who had been suspended in connection with the death of a second-year student last month.

The student, J.S. Sidharthan, was found hanging in the bathroom of the college hostel on February 18. His family and friends alleged that he was subjected to cruel ragging, public shaming, assault and mob trial by fellow students, including activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) – the ruling CPI(M)‘s students’ outfit.

Dr. Saseendran had been appointed to the position on an interim basis following the suspension of Vice-Chancellor M.R. Saseendranath three weeks ago over the student’s death.

Mr. Khan, who is the Chancellor of State-run universities, took a dim view of the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to “exonerate” the students, who were among the 90 students suspended in connection with the case. Finding that the move had been made without seeking legal opinion, the Governor also sought a detailed report from the Vice-Chancellor on the circumstances that paved the way for his decision.

In his resignation letter submitted to the Raj Bhavan, Dr. Saseendran cited personal reasons for his decision.

Sidharthan’s father T. Jayaprakash slammed the move to reinstate students and accused the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of duping the family after assuring them that the case would be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).