President Murmu Returns Madras University Amendment Bill to Tamil Nadu Government

President's Decision on University Governance

President Droupadi Murmu has sent back the Madras University (Amendment Bill) to the Tamil Nadu government, halting attempts to alter the appointment process for vice-chancellors in state-run universities. This bill, passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in April 2022, proposed amendments to the Madras University Act, which would have granted the state government the authority to appoint and dismiss vice-chancellors.

Current Authority and Proposed Changes

At present, the power to appoint vice-chancellors lies with the governor, who also serves as the ex-officio chancellor of the university. The proposed amendment aimed to remove the reference to the chancellor's authority from the act. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi had previously reserved the bill for the President's consideration, citing concerns that these changes could conflict with the regulations set by the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding vice-chancellor appointments.

Ongoing Tensions in Higher Education Administration

This decision comes amid a prolonged conflict between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and the governor over the administration of higher education institutions in the state. Currently, around 14 of Tamil Nadu's 22 state-run universities, including the historic 168-year-old Madras University, are operating without regular vice-chancellors and are being managed by coordinating committees.

Legal Implications and Supreme Court Rulings

The dispute has escalated to the Supreme Court, which delivered a landmark ruling in April regarding the governor's role in dealing with the state legislature. Utilizing its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the court automatically approved ten amendment bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 2022.