Thiruvananthapuram, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The controversy over 19 faculty appointments at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, has intensified after a state audit reportedly found that the appointments made in 2021 lacked government approval and involved alleged violations of recruitment and reservation rules.
The Save University Campaign Committee, led by R.S. Sasikumar, has decided to approach Kerala Governor, who is also the Chancellor of state universities, seeking an examination of the audit findings and action against those responsible.
The State Finance Audit Department reportedly flagged the absence of government approval for the 19 teaching appointments, alleged violations of the reservation roster and the shifting of sanctioned vacancies between departments without the required approvals.
“We will bring all the audit findings to the attention of the Chancellor and seek further action. The university is in a total mess. The Vice-Chancellor is helpless and cannot do much under the present circumstances. Action can now be taken only by the Chancellor,” Sasikumar said.
The committee has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the appointments and their cancellation if they are found to be illegal. It wants the Chancellor to examine the complete audit report and determine responsibility for the alleged violations.
One of the appointments under scrutiny is that of Ninitha Kanicheri, who was appointed Assistant Professor in the university’s Malayalam Department. She is the wife of M.B. Rajesh, who has served as an MP, Assembly Speaker and state minister.
Her appointment triggered a major controversy in February 2021, when allegations emerged that a rank list prepared by subject experts had been overturned to favour her. Three members of the interview panel reportedly objected to the published list, claiming that deserving candidates had been overlooked.
The then Vice-Chancellor rejected the allegations, while Rajesh denied interfering in the selection process.
Sasikumar questioned why the audit findings had emerged only now, pointing out that the appointments were made when Pinarayi Vijayan was heading the state government. He said the recruitment process had faced controversy at the time but no action had followed.
The audit also reportedly questioned the former Vice-Chancellor’s decision to transfer vacancies between departments without the necessary Syndicate approval and flagged concerns over the financial burden arising from the appointments.
The controversy has added to the political debate in Kerala over alleged irregularities in recruitment to public institutions, amid a separate row over claims of large-scale misconduct in Public Service Commission recruitment.
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