Tamil Nadu Govt Weighs Options After President Returns Chennai University Amendment Bill
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government is weighing its options after President Droupadi Murmu returned the Chennai University Amendment Bill, 2022, which sought to empower the State government to appoint the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras. The development has triggered sharp political reactions and raised fresh questions over the limits of federal authority, gubernatorial powers, and the State’s role in higher education governance, as closely tracked by TheTrendingPeople
Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan said the State government had been informed that the President had withheld assent to the Bill without citing specific reasons or objections. He added that several options were being examined and that a final decision would be taken soon by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Background: What the Bill Proposed
The Chennai University Amendment Bill, passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in April 2022, sought to amend Section 11 of the Madras University Act, 1923. The key change proposed was replacing the word “Chancellor” with “Government” in matters related to the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, thereby vesting the power directly with the State government.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the Bill argued that similar models already exist in other States. In Gujarat and Telangana, the State governments appoint Vice-Chancellors, while in Karnataka, appointments are made by the Chancellor in concurrence with the State government. The Tamil Nadu government maintained that the amendment was intended to ensure transparency, accountability and alignment with State education policies.
Governor’s Role and State’s Criticism
Governor R.N. Ravi had reserved the Bill for the President’s consideration, citing concerns that it would go against University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and established norms. Minister Chezhiaan criticised the Governor for delaying the forwarding of the Bill by over a year, calling the delay “condemnable.”
“This shows the partisan behaviour on the part of the Governor, proving that he is not fit to hold the post,” the Minister said, reiterating that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors should fall within the State government’s prerogative.
Legal and Constitutional Complications
While the Assembly could have reconsidered the Bill had the Governor returned it, officials noted that there is no clear constitutional precedent once a Bill is reserved for and returned by the President. A section of senior officials believes the State has reached a near-deadlock situation with limited legal remedies available.
Legal avenues have further narrowed following a recent five-judge Bench judgment of the Supreme Court on a Presidential Reference concerning the powers of the Governor and the President in granting or withholding assent to Bills. The ruling clarified procedural aspects but did not offer a direct solution to situations like the current one faced by Tamil Nadu.
One option under consideration is drafting a fresh legislation with revised provisions and passing it again in the Assembly before sending it for assent. However, officials caution that there is no guarantee such a move would break the impasse.
Political Reactions and Federalism Debate
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai termed the President’s decision a setback to cooperative federalism. In a statement, he said the Bill had been democratically passed by the Assembly and alleged that the decision was taken on the advice of the BJP-led Union government.
He urged the Chief Minister to explore legal and constitutional options, pointing out that several BJP-ruled States allow State governments a decisive role in Vice-Chancellor appointments.
The issue has once again brought to the fore the ongoing tussle between the Tamil Nadu government and the Raj Bhavan over university administration, a matter that has repeatedly sparked political and legal confrontations in the State.
Our Final Thoughts
The return of the Chennai University Amendment Bill has placed the Tamil Nadu government at a constitutional crossroads. While the State asserts its right to shape higher education governance, procedural constraints and evolving judicial interpretations have complicated the path forward. Beyond the immediate political sparring, the episode raises deeper questions about federal balance, the autonomy of States in education policy, and the role of Governors and the Centre in legislative processes. How Tamil Nadu navigates this impasse—whether through fresh legislation, legal challenge, or political negotiation—could set an important precedent for Centre-State relations and university governance across India.