A controversy has erupted in Kerala over
the remark of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief K Sudhakaran, expressing
support for the alleged nomination of Sangh Parivar supporters to university
Senates by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, acting in his capacity as the
chancellor.
Sudhakaran said Sangh Parivar is a party
in democracy, and therefore, there is no reason to oppose the nomination of
qualified individuals, even if they are affiliated with such outfits.
He said the Congress will examine
whether the nominees of the chancellor are qualified and eligible for their
posts. If they are found to be unqualified, the party would oppose such
appointments.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India
(DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, criticised Sudhakaran’s
statement, alleging collusion between Congress and BJP in the Southern State.
Sudhakaran made the remarks while
responding to questions on allegations by the CPI(M) that the Governor
nominated supporters from Congress and the Muslim League alongside Sangh
Parivar backers.
The Grand Old Party chief distanced the
Congress from the Governor’s actions, stating, “We are not responsible for the
actions of the Chancellor.”
Sudhakaran acknowledged the presence of
Sangh Parivar supporters among the academics but said, “We are not opposing
that.”
Defending the Governor’s alleged
actions, he said if the nominees are qualified, their affiliation with Sangh
Parivar should not be a deterrent.
He justified Governor Khan’s decisions,
saying, “Let them be nominated. If it consists only of Sangh Parivar activists,
then we can oppose it. If there are good people…, how can we oppose their
nomination? When they are nominated to the senate, we are happy. We accept
that,” Sudhakaran said, justifying Khan’s actions.
Responding to the CPI(M)’s allegations
of a disproportionate representation of Sangh Parivar supporters, Congress
supporters, and IUML supporters in the Calicut University Senate, Sudhakaran
said the primary focus should be on evaluating the qualifications and merits of
individuals appointed to the Senate rather than getting involved in political
considerations.
He emphasised that the criteria for
selection should be based on the academic and professional capabilities of the
appointees, rather than their political allegiances.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India
(DYFI) accused Sudhakaran of facilitating RSS influence through the Governor’s
nominations.
The youth outfit of the ruling CPI(M)
alleged Sudhakaran is going forward by ignoring even the declared political
position of the Congress at the national level.
In response, Sudhakaran refuted the
allegations, asserting that his statement focused on the merit-based
appointment of Senate members and not on endorsing Sangh Parivar politics.
He clarified that Congress has
consistently opposed attempts to implement Sangh Parivar ideologies in Kerala.
“We are the ones who demanded the
withdrawal of the Governor in the Assembly. But Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
and his colleagues not only did not support it, but defeated that demand,” he
alleged.
PTI
