The Syndicate of Kerala University has decided to re-evaluate the PhD dissertation submitted by former DYFI state president Chintha Jerome. A four-member expert committee will inspect the thesis before determining the next course of action. However, Left-leaning members of the Syndicate strongly opposed the decision. Chintha pursued her research on the topic ‘Ideology of Malayalam Commercial Cinema’ under the supervision of former Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. P. P. Ajayakumar.
The move follows a complaint filed by Syndicate member R. S. Sashikumar to Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, pointing out the lack of action on a previous grievance forwarded by the Governor regarding factual errors in the thesis. The initial complaint had highlighted widespread mistakes in the paper submitted to Kerala University for the doctoral degree.
The complaint alleges ambiguity in sending a dissertation based on Malayalam cinema and its prominent stars for evaluation to three non-Malayali professors from Tamil Nadu and North India. Furthermore, it claims that there is clear evidence indicating that key concepts and writings within the thesis were plagiarized from other publications.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com