Tussle Over Madras University VC Appointment: Education Minister and Chidambaram Engage in Verbal Spat on Social Media

Former Union Minister, P. Chidambaram, took to X to express his concern over the prolonged vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor position at the University of Madras.

A war of words erupted on the social media platform X (former Twitter) between Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, revolving around the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Madras.

Former Union Minister, P. Chidambaram, took to X to express his concern over the prolonged vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor position at the University of Madras. He pointed out that the prestigious institution, established in 1857, has been without a Vice-Chancellor for the last five months, attributing the delay to a purported standoff between the Governor and the government.

In response, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan replied on X, asserting that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors must adhere to applicable UGC regulations. Pradhan emphasized that the Tamil Nadu Government and the University Registrar need to form a search-cum-selection committee, including a UGC nominee, in line with constitutional court judgments.

Furthermore, Pradhan clarified that the delay in the appointment process is due to the UGC not receiving a request from the competent authority in Tamil Nadu for the Chairman's nominee. He pointed out a precedent where a UGC Chairman nominee was promptly sent for the selection and appointment of a Vice-Chancellor in Bharathidasan University upon request.

Rather than relying on hearsay, Pradhan urged Chidambaram to question the Tamil Nadu Government and the University Registrar about the absence of a request for a UGC Chairman nominee for the University of Madras.

The exchange between the Union Education Minister and the Congress leader highlights the political undertones surrounding the higher education landscape and the challenges in filling crucial administrative positions, impacting institutions' functioning and overall academic environment. As the verbal spat gains attention, stakeholders eagerly await a resolution to the Vice-Chancellor appointment issue at the University of Madras.