Do not want confrontation with Governor, but cannot compromise on State’s rights, says Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister

Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan on Tuesday (June 9, 2026) said that neither he nor the State government sought any confrontation with the Governor. However, the government would not compromise on the State’s autonomy in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of State universities.

“I can only think of [lyricist] Kannadasan’s lines: Vandi oda chakkarangal irandu mattum vendum; antha irandil onru siriyathendraal entha vandi odum? (A vehicle needs two wheels of equal size; if one is smaller, how can it move?). The Governor and the Chief Minister should work in harmony for the smooth functioning of our universities,” he said in an interview to The Hindu.

‘CM doesn’t want spat’

Mr. Viswanathan said the previous government may have adopted a confrontational approach towards the Governor. “But our Chief Minister does not want any confrontation. As a Minister, I, too, do not want any confrontation. The matter [of appointment of Vice-Chancellors] is pending before the Supreme Court, and we hope the outcome will be favourable,” he said, expressing confidence that the new Governor would protect the State’s rights.

Contending that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors was directly linked to the State’s autonomy, he said no State government would surrender its rights. “We cannot allow the Governor to encroach upon or usurp the powers of the State,” he said.

Pointing out that the dispute over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors stemmed from the UGC’s mandate to include its nominee in the selection panel, besides the nominees of the syndicate, the State government, and the Governor, Mr. Viswanathan said the Centre was trying to bring higher education under its control through the UGC nominee.

He accused former Governor R.N. Ravi of having issued a notification constituting Vice-Chancellor search committees with a UGC nominee despite a Supreme Court ruling on the issue. “We respect the Governor. Be it the Dravidian parties or the Congress, all have respected the office, because it is a constitutional post. The State government challenged the notification issued by the Governor. A special session of the Assembly was convened to protect the rights of the State, but he challenged that, too,” the Minister said.

Mr. Viswanathan said any confrontation with the Governor was both unnecessary and avoidable, as cordial relations between the Chief Minister and the Governor were essential for the smooth functioning of the State government. “If the Governor decides to function as per his whim, it will affect governance. Controversies over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors are unnecessary. Twelve out of thirteen State universities are functioning without Vice-Chancellors. Files are pending and decisions remain stalled. This issue has persisted since 2021. How long can we wait? Do we deserve this,” he asked.

‘Exercise patience’

He claimed that the problem was largely confined to the States not ruled by the BJP. “As the Higher Education Minister, I want a harmonious relationship between the Governor and the Vice-Chancellors for the sake of our universities,” he said. “The Governor should realise that these universities are not his personal property. They belong to eight crore people of the State, and the elected government enjoys the trust of the people. The Governor should exercise patience and listen to the government. It will not help if he acts against the spirit of the Constitution,” he added.

When asked about the issue of temporary lecturers, he said it would be brought to the Chief Minister’s attention, and efforts would be made to find a solution. Mr. Viswanathan said he was working closely with Higher Education Secretary Arun Roy to improve the quality of higher education and the overall functioning of the universities.