Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John has termed as unacceptable the participation of three university Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in an RSS programme attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Thiruvananthapuram.

The issue had triggered a political storm in Kerala.

The attendance of the VCs at events hosted by political organisations sends a wrong message to people, especially since they ought to fulfil their academic duties in an impartial manner. As VCs, they ought to have remained vigilant at a time when attempts are being made to derail the secular credentials of universities. They must express their regret to members of the public for having attended the event, Mr. John said here on Sunday night (June 14).

Stating that the State government has constraints in initiating action against the VCs, he said that it is the Governor who appoints them. He further exhorted members of society and the academic community to preserve the academic independence and the autonomy of universities.

On the Malayidamthuruth land dispute, he said that an agreement regarding this would be signed on Monday (June 15), bringing relief to members of the seven families who faced the threat of eviction.