Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – Kerala University Registrar K. S. Anil Kumar has returned to his original college, KSMDB College, Sasthamkotta. Official sources confirmed his transfer on Wednesday, following a request from Kumar himself. The move coincides with ongoing efforts to resolve administrative disputes between the Left government and the Governor’s office concerning state universities.
Registrar’s Transfer and Rationale
The state government issued an order allowing Anil Kumar to repatriate to his cadre college. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages KSMDB College, received directives to immediately reinstate him. Kumar previously served as Registrar on deputation while also holding the position of Principal at KSMDB College.
His return aligns with reports of a reconciliation between the state’s Left government and Lok Bhavan, the Governor’s official residence. This reconciliation focuses on resolving long-standing issues within university administration, including the appointment of Vice-Chancellors.
The Bharat Mata Controversy
K. S. Anil Kumar gained public attention earlier this year due to the “Bharat Mata” controversy. The incident involved Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Kumar faced allegations of issuing a notice that cancelled a private program scheduled to be attended by the Governor.
The program, hosted by the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi, was set to take place at the university’s Senate Hall on June 25 . A portrait of Bharat Mata, depicting her with a saffron flag, was displayed during the event. Kumar denied the allegations, stating his notice to cancel permission for the hall was issued before the Governor arrived. He claimed to possess evidence supporting his position.
Following the controversy, the university suspended Kumar in July while he was serving as Registrar on deputation. However, the Left-controlled university syndicate later revoked his suspension. This decision challenged the authority of the Vice-Chancellor, who is a nominee of the Chancellor (the Governor).
The “Bharat Mata” controversy also fueled clashes between student organizations. The Students Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the CPI(M), and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), associated with the BJP, engaged in public confrontations over the issue.
Broader Administrative Reconciliation
Kumar’s transfer is part of a wider agreement between the Governor’s office and the state government. This agreement aims to end a prolonged deadlock over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in at least two Kerala universities. The resolution of this impasse is expected to streamline university governance and reduce friction between key administrative bodies.
The university syndicate had renewed Kumar’s tenure as Registrar for an additional four years in February , prior to the controversies and his eventual repatriation. His return to KSMDB College now marks a significant development in the ongoing administrative landscape of Kerala’s higher education sector.