Thiruvananthapuram: As the political controversy intensifies over the appointment of Dr. Vinod Kumar Kallolikkal as Chairperson of the Kerala Historical Research Council, Higher Education Minister Rogi M. John has launched a sharp critique against the opposition. The Minister emphasized that the appointment was made entirely based on merit and academic qualifications and that portraying qualified individuals as Sangh affiliates for political reasons is unacceptable. In a Facebook post responding to allegations related to the appointment, the Minister stated that dragging appointments to the leadership of academic institutions like the Kerala Historical Research Council into political controversies is not the right approach. He clarified that the Higher Education Department had no special vested interests in the appointment and that the decision was made after considering qualifications and work experience. The Minister expressed that the opposition’s allegations about the appointment are unfounded. Rogi M. John called on the CPI(M) to end its practice of labeling individuals politically unacceptable to them as "Sanghi." He criticized attempts to defame such individuals by accusing them of political affiliations instead of evaluating their academic excellence and research contributions. The Minister also advocated that political differences should not affect the functioning and appointments of academic institutions. He questioned the opposition’s allegations by pointing out that Dr. Vinod Kumar Kallolikkal had previously been an active member of a left-leaning teachers’ organization. The Minister asked why those who did not accuse him of Sangh links during his time with the left teachers’ group are now raising such claims following his appointment. He further criticized the double standards in evaluating a person’s political stance changing based on the appointment outcome. The Minister suggested that political motives are behind questioning the qualifications and work experience of a person previously acknowledged. Meanwhile, the opposition had earlier strongly criticized Dr. Vinod Kumar Kallolikkal’s appointment. The opposition accused the appointment to the leadership of this key historical research institution as part of an agenda to ‘saffronize’ educational and research institutions. They alleged that the UDF government had subverted the appointment processes and made decisions without following transparent procedures. However, the Higher Education Minister outrightly rejected these claims. He accused the opposition of unnecessarily politicizing a merit-based appointment and described their allegations of Sangh links as part of a political campaign. The Kerala Historical Research Council is a significant institution responsible for historical studies, research projects, and academic publications. The politicization of the appointment to its leadership has sparked a new political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition. While the opposition raises questions about the transparency and academic qualifications involved in the appointment, the government stands firm that it will not allow qualified persons to be sidelined through political labeling. The Minister’s Facebook response to the allegations has added a new dimension to the controversy, highlighting the government’s insistence on merit-based appointments and rejection of politicization in academic institutional leadership.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
