QUESTION: The Chief Minister and the Governor of Kerala are in the midst of a cold war. As the bishop of Kannur, you may have good knowledge of its intricacies. It all started with the allegation of nepotism by the ruling class in the appointment of some vice Chancellors and professors in universities. How do you look at the scenario?
ANSWER: Respect for fundamental moral principles is essential for the smooth running of the government and for the state’s progress. The government should strictly adhere to guidelines and regulations set up for the appointment of chancellors and faculty in universities. Politics has always played a corrupting role in such matters. Only those who are known for their vision, objectivity, and morality should be placed in positions of authority. Otherwise, the whole system will collapse. The court has intervened and said that a particular person does not have the qualification required for a coveted post. And the university has accepted the verdict. It clearly shows that fundamental principles were violated in that particular case.
The political party that engineered that appointment does not seem to care much for morals. As George Orwell says, it is a party of mixed truths now. Which means the people have to remain vigilant. As has been proved in this case, media too has a major role to play in democracy. If the mainstream media is reluctant to speak, we can now have recourse to social media. We should never hesitate to speak up. We should boldly play our role as critical citizens.

Bp Alex Vadakkumthala
Kannur