Opposition leader demands cancellation, alleges rule breach and misconduct
Bengaluru/Mysuru: Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council, has sought immediate cancellation of the appointment of Prof. B.K. Kempegowda as Registrar (Evaluation) of the University of Mysore, saying the selection violated prescribed rules and raised questions about the appointee’s eligibility and integrity.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary, Higher Education Department, Narayanaswamy argued that appointments to key administrative posts at the University of Mysore must strictly follow the Karnataka State Universities Act and related government regulations. He maintained that the Registrar (Evaluation) position should ordinarily be filled by professors or senior faculty serving within the university.
"I urge the government to immediately cancel the appointment of Prof. B.K. Kempegowda as Registrar (Evaluation) of the University of Mysore," Narayanaswamy wrote, according to his communication to senior officials.
Narayanaswamy noted that Prof. Kempegowda was serving as a professor at the Government First Grade College, Nanjangud, and questioned the legality of appointing a faculty member from the Department of Collegiate Education or Technical Education to a senior administrative post at the university. He asked for a review of the appointment's legal validity and for appropriate action if any violation of rules is established.
Allegations cited include sexual harassment, misuse of grants
Besides procedural objections, the MLC cited serious allegations against the appointee, requesting that the government and relevant authorities examine available documents before confirming or allowing the appointment to stand. The letter listed claims including alleged sexual harassment and an alleged misuse of special grants intended for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities during his tenure as college principal.
- Eligibility concern: Whether a professor from a government first grade college is eligible for the Registrar (Evaluation) post at the University of Mysore.
- Integrity question: Allegations of sexual harassment and alleged misuse of grants aimed at SC/ST welfare.
- Demand for transparency: A call for review of documents and legal scrutiny before the appointment is allowed to proceed.
The complaint emphasises that transparency, eligibility, experience and integrity should be the primary considerations in appointments to senior university posts, particularly at a longstanding and prestigious institution such as the University of Mysore, which serves as a major academic hub in the region.
| Allegation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sexual harassment | Claims cited by the MLC relating to conduct during prior tenure as principal. |
| Misuse of special grants | Alleged improper use of funds earmarked for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. |
Officials in the Higher Education Department and representatives of the University of Mysore have not been quoted in the correspondence made public by the MLC. The request from Narayanaswamy seeks a formal review and suggests that any appointment made without addressing these objections could face legal and administrative challenge.
Local stakeholders in Mysuru, including students and faculty at colleges affiliated to the university, have over the years raised concerns about adherence to statutory norms for key administrative selections. Changes in university administration or contested appointments can affect evaluation processes, academic schedules and the broader perception of institutional governance.
Any decision by the state government to accept or reject the MLC’s demand will be closely watched in Mysuru. The matter highlights tensions between university autonomy, statutory eligibility criteria under the Karnataka State Universities Act, and accountability mechanisms when allegations of misconduct surface against prospective appointees.
The demand for immediate cancellation signals a push for administrative scrutiny at a time when higher-education governance is under increased public and political attention across Karnataka. The outcome could set precedents for how eligibility and integrity concerns are handled for senior posts in the state’s universities.
