Process initiated amidst the recent issue over Dr. Sharanappa V. Halse granting permission for right-wing event at KSOU Convocation Hall
Mysore/Mysuru: Amid the controversy surrounding Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sharanappa V. Halse, who was in the news recently, for granting permission to host a programme titled ‘Ekatma Manav Darshan,’ to commemorate 60 years of lectures of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, from Mar. 25 to 27 at KSOU Convocation Hall, the Governor’s office at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru, has invited applications from eligible candidates, for the post of Vice-Chancellor of KSOU, Mysuru.
In a notification published in prominent Dailies today (Apr. 2), in the name of R. Prabhushankar, Special Secretary to the Governor, it is stated that, ‘the applications have been invited from eligible Professors having 10-year experience or in the relevant post, as per the guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC) and KSOU Act 1992, along with required qualification, research, academic and administrative experience.’
The prescribed application form is available on KSOU website: www.ksoumysuru.ac.in and the hard copy of the applications containing self-declaration, should be posted in four sets to the Governor’s Special Secretary, Post Box No. 5033, Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru-560001, before 5.30 pm of May 10. The soft copy of applications should be sent through e-mail to us.uni versity.rb@Karnataka.gov.in
Dr. Halse speaks
Speaking to Star of Mysore, KSOU VC Dr. Sharanappa V. Halse said, “as my term as KSOU VC is scheduled to expire on June 30 this year, the State Government has already initiated the process of appointing the new VC.”
Dr. Halse, however said, he has not sought any extension of tenure, as it is the prerogative of the Governor, the Chancellor of Universities, to decide on such matters of importance.
As is the procedure, the application for the post of new KSOU VC has been invited, so that everybody is informed about the process. After inviting applications, it would take at least one month to scrutinise the applications. Subsequently, a Search Committee will be constituted to select a suitable candidate among the shortlisted candidates for the VC post, he added.
To a query on recent instructions of Higher Education Dept. to Banks, to freeze accounts of KSOU, in the wake of probe by One-Man Fact Finding Committee, Prof. Halse clarified that no accounts have been frozen and the salary and other financial commitments on the part of the Varsity, are being fulfilled without any hiccup.
Following the letter received from Higher Education Dept., the Bank authorities sought specified reasons to freeze the account. However, Higher Education Dept. failed to provide any reasons. Following which, the accounts remain active, he said.
Protest staged
Various organisations staged protest in front of KSOU main gate in city yesterday, demanding the sacking of KSOU VC Dr. Sharanappa V. Halse. Syndicate Member of University of Mysore Nataraj, Hon. President of Researchers Association Kallahalli Kumar, Sosale Siddaraju and several other leaders, who took part in the protest, condemned Dr. Halse, for going ahead with a RSS event at KSOU campus, flouting the orders of the Government and acting like a puppet of RSS, only to saffronise the academic activities.
This post was published on April 2, 2026 6:39 pm