Wed Dec 17 16:05:46 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anilkumar has been transferred to his parent department after informing the government of his wish to leave the post. The transfer follows a period of conflict and a High Court case following his suspension. The suspension stemmed from a dispute over the display of a Bharat Mata portrait at a university event attended by the Governor. Anilkumar had ordered its removal, leading to accusations of misconduct by the Vice-Chancellor. Anilkumar disputed the accusations, and the court refused to interfere in his suspension. The transfer follows a recent resolution between the State government and Lok Bhavan regarding university Vice-Chancellor appointments.
News Article:
Kerala University Registrar Transferred Amidst Controversy
Thiruvananthapuram – December 17, 2025 – K.S. Anilkumar, Registrar of Kerala University, has been transferred back to his parent department by order of the State government. Dr. Anilkumar had previously expressed his desire to step down from the Registrar position.
This move comes after a turbulent period for Dr. Anilkumar, marked by a suspension in July following a dispute over the display of a “Bharat Mata” portrait at a university event attended by Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar. Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal had suspended Dr. Anilkumar, alleging misconduct for ordering the portrait’s removal and accusing him of potentially canceling the event while the Governor was present and that the stage he addressed the media from was “sanitised for anti-terror activities”.
Dr. Anilkumar refuted the charges, stating the cancellation order was issued prior to the Governor’s arrival. He subsequently approached the High Court seeking to overturn his suspension, but the court declined to intervene. Though the Syndicate decided to revoke the suspension, Dr. Anilkumar again approached the High Court in November to revoke his suspension.
Dr. Anilkumar was serving his second term as Registrar, having been reappointed in February of this year. Prior to his appointment in 2021, he served as Principal of KSMDB College, Sasthamcotta.
The transfer occurs after the recent resolution of a stand-off between the State government and Lok Bhavan, culminating in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors to two State-run universities. This resolution followed conciliatory talks between the Chief Minister and the Governor, who also serves as Chancellor.
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