Malappuram: A controversy erupted on Wednesday over Calicut University's suggestion to confer DLitt on Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama National General Secretary Kanthapuram Abubacker Musaliyar and SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan.
Their names were proposed to the university syndicate by E Abdurahiman. Talking to MMTV, Abdurahiman said he moved the proposal with their names as they are the most suited persons to receive the honour.
Universities confer honourary DLitt, short for Doctor of Letters, on eminent personalities for their lifelong contribution in their chosen fields.
Abdurahiman said he suggested their names considering their contribution to education and social fields. However, some of the syndicate members objected to the move.
It is learnt that Abdurahiman proposed the names with the full approval of vice-chancellor M K Jararaj.
However, the university clarified that no official discussion took place in the syndicate on the day.
Abdurahiman said that the sub-committee entrusted to propose names for DLitt has not put forth any names for the past two years. This is why he proposed the names.
But some members pointed out there was no justification for awarding these two based on their contribution to the respective communities.
Now the syndicate had appointed a sub-committee, comprising Dr Vijayaraghavan, Dr Rasheed Ahmad, and Dr Vinod Kumar to decide whether to confer DLitt on them.
I won't accept any honorary title, says Musaliyar
Meanwhile, Abubacker Musaliyar has made it clear that he will not be accepting any honourary DLitt from Calicut University.
Musaliyar sent a letter to the vice-chancellor of the university on Wednesday stating this intent.
The development comes in wake of a controversy surrounding the university's move to award DLitt to Musaliyar and Vellappally Natesan.
But some in the university's syndicate had pointed out the impropriety of giving the honorary title to two community leaders.
It was after this that Musaliyar announced that he won't be accepting any titles.
