Chennai, July 28 (IANS) The 33rd convocation ceremony of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli on Tuesday turned contentious after two separate issues overshadowed the academic event.
A last-minute decision to limit the number of students receiving degrees directly from Governor R.N. Ravi Arlekar, along with a dispute over the order of ceremonial songs, triggered protests by students and a boycott by senior political leaders.
The university had earlier announced that Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest, would confer degrees in person on 871 students. Overall, 37,877 candidates were scheduled to receive degrees during the convocation. However, shortly before the event, the university revised the programme, stating that only 113 gold medallists would receive their degrees directly from the Governor. The remaining students would receive their certificates through the usual distribution process.
The unexpected change sparked resentment among students and their families, many of whom had travelled to the university expecting to receive their degrees from the Governor.
Several students questioned the decision, arguing that the earlier announcement had raised expectations and that the last-minute revision caused disappointment and confusion.
The ceremony, which commenced around 45 minutes behind schedule, was further overshadowed by a protocol-related controversy involving the sequence of songs played during the event.
According to the official programme, Vande Mataram was played first, while Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state invocation song, was scheduled as the third item. The order drew sharp criticism from Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan, who objected to placing Tamil Thai Vazhthu after Vande Mataram.
Describing the sequence as unacceptable, the Minister chose to boycott the convocation.
Joining the protest were Tirunelveli TVK MLA Murugan and Kadayanallur MLA Rajendran, who also stayed away from the function in solidarity with the Minister.
The boycott added a political dimension to what was intended to be the university’s annual academic celebration.
Despite the controversies, the convocation proceeded under the Governor’s leadership, with degrees conferred on the 113 gold medallists and the remaining graduates receiving their qualifications through the prescribed process.
The twin controversies over the degree distribution and the ceremonial protocol, however, dominated proceedings and drew attention away from the achievements of thousands of graduating students.
–IANS
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