TN Will Fight UGC Rules on V-C: Stalin

The new University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations granting governors broader control over appointments of vice chancellors (V-Cs) and allowing non-academics to hold these posts are a direct assault on federalism and state rights, said chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday amid the ongoing tussle with governor RN Ravi on the issue.

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI:

At least five state-run universities in Tamil Nadu are without a vice chancellor due to this standoff between the governor and government. In 2022, the state had passed a bill in the assembly to clip the powers of the governor to appoint a V-C and vest it with the government.

Stalin said that Tamil Nadu will fight it legally and politically. "This authoritarian move by the Union BJP government seeks to centralise power and undermine democratically elected state governments," Stalin said on X. "Education must remain in the hands of those chosen by the people, not dictated by Governors acting at the BJP government's behest."

This came after the UGC draft guidelines were released by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday for faculty recruitment, promotions in higher education institutions, opening V-C positions to non-academics.