Chennai, May 28: Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister P. Vishwanathan made it clear on Thursday that the newly formed TVK-led government will not compromise on the state’s rights at any cost. This statement comes amid rising political tensions regarding the appointment of vice-chancellors in state universities.
Vishwanathan’s clarification followed a statement he made in Madurai a day earlier, which drew sharp reactions from several political parties, including DMK, VCK, CPI, and PMK.
During a press interaction on Wednesday, Vishwanathan reportedly stated that the new government is not obligated to continue every policy implemented by the previous administration, particularly those related to the Chief Minister‘s role as Chancellor of universities.
In response to his comments, opposition parties and allied leaders accused the government of undermining the state’s autonomy and rights in higher education matters.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Vishwanathan emphasized that his remarks were misunderstood. He reiterated that protecting Tamil Nadu’s rights is the government’s top priority.
“Our stance is crystal clear. The rights of the state are paramount for us. As a legislator, minister, and citizen of Tamil Nadu, I can confidently say that we will not compromise on this issue,” he stated.
The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of every citizen in Tamil Nadu, asserting that there is no intention to relinquish any constitutional or administrative rights of the state.
Clarifying his earlier statement, he mentioned that the final decision on this matter will be made by Chief Minister Vijay after discussions with departmental officials and cabinet colleagues.
“The Chief Minister will make the final decision after extensive consultations with officials from the higher education department and other ministers. My comment was merely a general remark, not a response in a specific context,” he explained.
This controversy revolves around the authority to appoint vice-chancellors in state universities. During the previous DMK government, the Tamil Nadu Assembly amended various university acts to transfer the power of appointing vice-chancellors from the Governor to the Chief Minister. This was seen as a significant step towards protecting the state’s rights and federal structure.
Vishwanathan concluded, “We are a new government. For now, I do not wish to delve into the specifics of this issue, but neither Congress nor TVK will ever compromise on the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
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