SUCC Demands Removal of Mallika Sarabhai as Kalamandalam Chancellor
The Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) has submitted a memorandum to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, demanding the removal of Mallika Sarabhai from the position of chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam. The committee has urged the chief minister to replace Sarabhai and appoint the cultural minister as the pro-chancellor instead.
According to the memorandum, the demand stems from the significant financial strain caused by Sarabhai's appointment. The deemed university, which is already financially weak, is struggling to cover the expenses associated with the chancellor. Sarabhai was appointed as chancellor in 2022, a move that stripped then Governor Arif Mohammed Khan of the position. The change has reportedly added an extra burden of Rs 50 lakh to the university's finances.
The committee highlighted that the university is forced to meet Sarabhai's substantial expenses at a time when it is struggling to pay employee salaries. Following Sarabhai's appointment as chancellor, protocol rules prevented the minister for cultural affairs from continuing as pro-chancellor. The memorandum stated, "The university is forced to meet the huge expense of Sarabhai when it is struggling to pay salary to employees. Following Sarabhai's appointment as chancellor, due to protocol rules, the minister for cultural affairs could not continue in the post of pro-chancellor of the university."
In addition to Sarabhai's salary, the university has to cover extra costs for her executive-class flights from Maharashtra and her accommodation. The authority to appoint the chancellor of the deemed university rests with the state government.
