Plea to review dissolution of KCHR

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 22. Several leaders from various spheres of culture and arts have expressed concern over the Government decision to dissolve the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR).

In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony, released for publication here today, they termed the Government decision undemocratic and an infringement on academic freedom. The Government decision is most unfortunate because it has come at a time when democratic forces are to join hands against unhealthy interventions against higher studies and research, they said.

The signatories to the statement are Mr. Paul Zacharia, Prof. B. Rajeevan, Mr. K. G. Sankarapilla, Mr. R. Nandakumar, Dr. K. Gopinathan, Dr. V. C. Harris, Dr. T. K. Ramachandran and Mr. K. N. Shaji.

They reminded the Government that the furore likely to arise from its decision would bring infamy to the State. If the Government had any reservation about the KCHR, it should have sought to hold a transparent and critical examination of the issue and found solutions.

Instead, what it did was to nip in bud an institution which would have contributed heavily to Kerala society.

"As persons concerned about Kerala society and the future of Humanities, we appeal to you to cancel the decision to dissolve the KCHR in the larger academic interests. We hope that a review of the decision would help in the formation of a healthy academic culture transcending party barriers in the State," they added.

Meanwhile, it has been decided to organise a national convention against the Government decision to dissolve the KCHR. Scholars and social activists from within and outside the State would attend the convention which would draw up an action plan against the Government decision, a release from the convention organising committee said here today.

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Section  : Southern States
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