Calicut University Professorship row: Pro-Cong academics’ union’s stance triggers inside strife

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The help prolonged by the Kerala Private College Teachers’ Association (KPCTA) to Calicut University’s determination to grant Professorship to eligible academics, has triggered controversy inside the pro-Congress academics’ union. The row erupted at a time when the Opposition UDF alleged that the varsity’s transfer, to additionally embrace retired academics, was geared toward facilitating the promotion of Higher Education Minister R Bindu as Professor after her voluntary retirement final 12 months.

The problem started after KPCTA state treasurer Muhammed Ali’s assertion on Calicut University-Professorship row was interpreted by a piece of the media as help for the minister. The assertion was celebrated by the LDF as an endorsement that the controversy over granting of Professorship by CU was unwarranted. Later, the KPCTA chief clarified on Facebook that his assertion was distorted and misinterpreted to defend the illegality dedicated by the varsity.

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However, the assertion irked a piece of KPCTA leaders, who have been peeved on the organisation usually taking a stance that was diametrically reverse to the views of the Congress management. According to sources, a senior KPCTA chief has petitioned KPCC president Ok Sudhakaran in opposition to the organisation’s frequent deviation from the get together line.

“Several college teachers who were once leaders of KSU or Youth Congress are peeved at the statement. It is high time that the organisation is aligned to the trajectory of the party. But those who voiced their dissent were either ousted or their voices muzzled by issuing show cause notices,” stated a KPCTA chief, requesting anonymity.

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According to the detractors, the highest management of KPCTA has usually taken a stance that was divergent from the Congress management’s line on many key points. When the previous KPCC president and the then chief of opposition strongly criticised the LDF authorities’s posting of Sree Narayana Guru Open University Vice-Chancellor, a piece of KPCTA leaders reportedly supported It. Besides, the supporting position offered by this organisation to former Higher Education Minister Ok T Jaleel additionally invited harsh criticism from inside the organisation, they identified.

Meanwhile, Ali reminded that it was the KPCTA that fought the authorized battle for granting of Professorship beneath the UGC’s Career Advancement Scheme. “However, if the Minister is sincere and just, she should get the Calicut University’s decision, to also include retired teachers, revoked. Or, she should issue orders extending the benefit to all college teachers across the state,” Muhammed Ali stated.