SC verdict: TN Guv ceases to be Chancellor of varsities

DMK MP P Wilson on Tuesday said as pr the historic verdict of the Supreme Court and delay in Governor giving assent to Bills, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi henceforth ceases to be the Chancellor of State-run Universities and per the Bills passed in the State Assembly the post was now vested with Chief Minister M K Stalin.

This comes into effect from today itself as all the 10 Bills pending before the Governor were deemed to have got his assent as directed by the Supreme Court.

Talking to reporters here,  Wilson, who is also the senior Advocate, said the Apex Courtverdict comes into force with immediate effect and the Governor ceases to be the Chancellor.

“As per the Apex Court order, the Governor is deemed to have granted assent (to the Bills) and hence, the Governor is relieved from the post of Chancellor of State-run Universties,” he said.

Asked who would be the new Chancellor, Wilson said as per the provisions of the Bill

a person to be nominated by the Tamil Nadu government would be the Chancellor.

Since the Bill said the Chief Minister would hold the post in place of the Governor, the Chief Minister was expected to hold the post with powers to appoint VCs for the Universities.

The Bills that were pending for his assent included those pertaining to removal of Governor from holding office of Chancellors of State-run Universities and making the Chief Minister as Chancellor with powers to appoint Vice-Chancellors.

Asked whether the Chief Minister would be the Chancellor of state-run varsities, Mr Wilson said the 10 Bills included those pertaining to the removal of the Governor from state-run varsities in which he held the office of de facto Chancellor.

The 10 Bills withheld by T.N. Governor, now assented by Supreme Court included Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2020; Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Amendment) Bill, 2020; The Tamil Nadu Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill 2022; The Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical University Bill, 2022; The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Tamil University (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Tamil Nadu Universities Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical

University Bill, 2022; The Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Later in post on X, Wilson said “I thank the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for today’s

landmark judgement upholding the Constitution, democracy and reaffirming the States’ rights and autonomy.”

“I thank my leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu @mkstalin  for entrusting me with the responsibility of conducting this case”,he said.

“I thank my learned brother senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Rakesh Dwivedi for appearing in this case and devoting their valuable time and energy”, Wilson wrote.

He also tagged Stalin’s post on X which said “We thank and welcome today’s historic

judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, reaffirming the legislative rights of State Legislatures and putting an end to the trend of Union government-nominated Governors stalling progressive legislative reforms in Opposition-ruled states.”

“This is another crucial step in restoring balance in Union–State relations and a landmark victory in Tamil Nadu’s continuous struggle to usher in a truly federal India”, Stalin said.

“My congratulations to the people of Tamil Nadu and our legal team! #MukulRohatgi

@DrAMSinghvi  #RakeshDwivedi @PWilsonDMK”, he wrote.

Hailing the verdict, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said “Tamil Nadu’s legal battle has once again shone light on the entire nation.