Chennai: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has allowed the assent of ten university bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, despite not receiving approval from the state Governor.

The verdict, which has significant implications for higher education governance in the state, permits the Tamil Nadu government to appoint Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of state universities and, in cases of misconduct, remove them from office.

This decision has raised concerns over political interference in the administration of universities.

Professor E. Balagurusamy, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University and a member of the Union Public Service Commission, expressed his apprehension regarding the potential consequences of the ruling.

He pointed out that the Governor, traditionally the Chancellor of universities with the authority to appoint and remove VCs, now finds himself without this power. While the Governor remains the Chancellor, the new system places the appointment authority with the state government, which could lead to undue political influence in academic leadership.

Balagurusamy highlighted that the historic practice of Governor-led appointments was designed to shield universities from political pressure. He warned that this shift could lead to a deterioration of university administration, resulting in the rise of corruption, favoritism, and compromised appointments.

He cited instances from the past, where political connections and financial influences played a role in appointing unqualified individuals to key positions, including Vice-Chancellors with controversial backgrounds.

Despite these concerns, Balagurusamy stressed the importance of appointing qualified and competent individuals to leadership roles in higher education. He urged the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to ensure that only honest, capable, and untainted professionals are chosen, regardless of political pressure, to uphold the integrity and quality of the state's higher education system.