Academics slam Kerala Guv for calling Kannur Univ. VC ‘criminal’

New Delhi: Over 50 prominent academics and historians on Monday came out in defence of Vice Chancellor of Kannur University Gopinath Ravindran who was called a “criminal” by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
“We are shocked to learn from the media that the Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, has described the Vice Chancellor of Kannur University, the eminent historian, Professor Gopinath Ravindran as a “criminal”,” the academics said in a statement.
“Professor Gopinath Ravindran is one of India’s leading historians, with a particular specialization in the agrarian history of Kerala and historical demography. He was Head of the Department of History and Culture at the Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, New Delhi, and has been Member Secretary of the Indian Council of Historical Research. He has also been Director, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution at the Jamia Millia Islamia.”
They said as a Vice Chancellor, Professor Gopinath Ravindran has led Kannur University with distinction.
“The Governor has, on earlier occasions, questioned the re-appointment of Professor Ravindran as Vice Chancellor in press statements. The High Court, however, dismissed a writ petition that sought to remove Professor Ravindran from the post,” they said.
“The false, defamatory and politically motivated campaign against the Vice Chancellor by the Governor and the Chancellor of the University is unacceptable. The Governor must stop this harassment of a distinguished historian and Vice Chancellor immediately,” he added.
The signatories include prominent historian Romila Thapar, Prabhu Prasad Mohapatra, Department of History, University of Delhi, Vasanthi Devi, Former Vice Chancellor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, KN Pannikar, Retired Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, JNU, RP Bahuguna, former head of History Department, Jamia Millia Islamia and several other prominent academics.
Khan has alleged that Ravindran was part of a conspiracy to physically hurt him in 2019 and called him a ‘criminal’. He also said Ravindran was made the VC because of political reasons. (UNI)