Sun Dec 14 11:32:04 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
On December 14, 2025, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar publicly criticized the Supreme Court’s intervention in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors at Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). Speaking at an award ceremony, Arlekar argued that the court was overstepping its bounds by appointing search committees and undermining the authority of the Chancellor, as outlined in UGC regulations and a previous Supreme Court verdict regarding Kannur University. Arlekar emphasized the separation of powers and the importance of each institution functioning within its own domain. The Governor’s comments follow recent Supreme Court criticism of the Governor and the State government’s failure to reach a consensus on the V-C appointments, leading the court to appoint its own committee to recommend candidates.
News Article:
Kerala Governor Accuses Supreme Court of ‘Judicial Overreach’ in University Appointments
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, December 14, 2025 – Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today launched a scathing critique of the Supreme Court’s involvement in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) at two state universities, Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). Speaking at the Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Award ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, the Governor accused the apex court of “judicial overreach” and undermining the authority of the Chancellor in university appointments.
“The power to amend the Constitution is vested with the Parliament and elected legislature, and the courts are there to ‘interpret the Constitution and not to amend the Constitution”, Mr. Arlekar said.
Arlekar pointed to the ongoing dispute over V-C appointments, arguing that the authority to appoint V-Cs rests with the Chancellor, as per University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and a previous Supreme Court ruling on the Kannur University V-C appointment. He questioned the court’s decision to appoint its own search committees for DUK and KTU, asserting that such committees should be appointed by the Chancellor.
The Governor’s remarks come on the heels of the Supreme Court’s sharp criticism of both the Governor and the State government for their failure to reach a consensus on the V-C appointments, prompting the court to form its own committee to recommend candidates.
The event also featured remarks from former Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam, who emphasized the importance of courts adhering to humanist ideals, particularly in an increasingly digital society.
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