Fri Jul 18 06:37:08 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Returns After Tense Absence Amidst Student Protests**

**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, July 18, 2025** – Kerala University Vice-Chancellor-in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal returned to the university headquarters today after a nearly 20-day absence marked by controversy and student protests. His arrival, under heavy police security, follows a period of intense agitation by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), who had previously threatened to block his entry.

Notably, the SFI refrained from staging protests during Kunnummal’s return, citing the need to expedite the clearance of pending student certificates, despite their ongoing opposition to the Governor and his appointments. Mr. Kunnummal had cited safety concerns amid SFI protests as the reason for his absence, and had been staying away from the university citing threats to his life and peace on the campus following intense protests by the SFI.

His return comes shortly after a meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the university’s Chancellor. Tensions remain high within the university’s administration. The Vice-Chancellor has not recognized the Syndicate’s reinstatement of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar and has appointed Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen to act as Registrar. This move, along with his decision to convene an Academic Council meeting through Ms. Kappen instead of holding an urgent Syndicate meeting, has further widened the divide within the university’s leadership.

While the Vice-Chancellor remained silent to media inquiries during his arrival, the situation appears calm for now. The coming days will reveal how the power dynamics at Kerala University will unfold.

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