Kerala CM Defends Appointment of IAS Officer B. Ashok as Higher Education Principal Secretary
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan defended the appointment of IAS officer B. Ashok as Principal Secretary of the Higher Education department after the revocation of his suspension, rejecting opposition claims of 'saffronisation'. Satheesan stated that appointments are made based on officer availability rather than political background, and noted that similar university appointments were made under the previous Left government. The controversy reflects broader political tensions in Kerala over educational institution leadership and ideological influence.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan responded to Communist Party criticism regarding the appointment of B. Ashok, an IAS officer whose suspension was recently revoked, to lead the Higher Education department. The CPI(M) had alleged the United Democratic Front government was promoting 'saffronisation' of higher education. Satheesan defended the decision by citing a shortage of available IAS officers in Kerala, explaining that many have transferred to central services or remain reluctant to return from Delhi postings. He further contextualized the controversy by noting that similar appointments of RSS-affiliated individuals to university leadership positions, including a Vice-Chancellor at Mahatma Gandhi University, had occurred under the previous Left Democratic Front government. The Chief Minister also addressed other matters including the PM SHRI scheme implementation and clarified a personal meeting with an Adani Group official during election campaign.
What's missing
The specific nature of B. Ashok's original disciplinary action and suspension is not detailed in the article. Additionally, the substantive concerns raised by CPI(M) leaders regarding educational policy changes or curriculum modifications are not presented, limiting understanding of the ideological dispute beyond personnel appointments.
What different sources said
- The HinduCenter
Kerala CM defends B. Ashok’s appointment as Principal Secretary of Higher Education dept
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