Kerala's Sheshan

 

As we are surpassing the 75^th year of our independence, there are discussions on sanctity and working freedom of constitutional authorities . While corrupt politicians are now being chased by the Enforcement directorate and CBI, a section of the media has alleged that Institutions are politically managed. However it is also a fact that constitutional institutions have consistently shown us through effective leadership, that authority of those Institutions can be well exercised in delivering effective justice to the public.

Take in the case of the election commission. When the late TN Sheshan took over as the Election commissioner in the mid-nineties, brazing all political pressures he ensured that the  code of conduct of elections are enforced, resulting in free and fair election. It can be recalled that the political establishment then, finding the powers of the election commissioner was  beyond their control,  trifurcated the institution as we see it today. However the legacy set henceforth by the late TN Sheshan  still continues with each subsequent election commissioners strictly following the rule book even while disgruntled politicians, when they lose an election, murmurs about fake voting machines .

The second instance of effective leadership of uploading constitutional authority was during the coal scam which was reported by the office of the then Comptroller and Auditor General impact from which the then ruling party is still struggling .While all these development took place in the domain of central administration, little is being reported by the mainstream media of a similar exercise of enforcement of Institutional authority against political nepotism happening in the case of Kerala. Governor Dr Arif Mohammed Khans strict tirade against the politically backed nepotism of appointment of Academicians in State Universities is the case in point.

One of the reasons for higher education in India being in shambles is the excessive politicization   of its governing senate which is the key decision body involved in selection of academicians and giving contracts. In most cases in the States, the senators are camouflaged academicians with political colors or loyalty , giving  the political parties concerned   direct influence in decision making  .  Selection to academic positions is mostly met not by merit but by political consideration. Cases of giving lakhs of rupees for posting have been reported in many places. The recent teachers recruitment scam in West Bengal is an example.

In the case of Kerala, the governor being the chancellor of the Universities refrained from blindly signing the senate recommendations. In the current case the wife of an officer of the State CM is alleged to have been recommended, which the governor has objected to. In order to circumvent this  objection, the State Government made efforts in bringing an ordinance, to curtail powers of the Governor. When the governor did not approve of the ordinance , it is now contemplated that a bill may be brought in this regard to curtail his powers

While this political imbroglio goes on what need to be noted is on the relevance of the role of a governor in a federal set up. Position of the governor have often been criticised as a gubernatorial position and in this case, Governor of Kerala has aptly demonstrated that constitutional authority and morals can be enforced and institutions protected. By doing so the name of Dr Arif Muhammed Khan goes into the lore of those leaders who held India high in spirit