Action sought against Periyar University professor for participating in DMK function

Periyar University. File | Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

Former president of Periyar University Teachers Association (PUTA) V. Vaithianathan on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) submitted a petition seeking action against a professor for allegedly participating in a function organised by a political party earlier this month.

In a petition, accompanied by photographs and submitted to Periyar University Registrar (in-charge) V. Raj on Tuesday, Mr. Vaithianathan said that R. Subramani, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, had allegedly participated in a DMK function (the unveiling of a portrait of a DMK functionary) organised in Perambalur district on October 15. Mr. Subramani participated in the function alongside former Union Minister A. Raja.

Mr. Vaithianathan said they chatted on the dais and later in a separate room. On October 15, Mr. Subramani took casual leave and participated in the function. As per Periyar University rules, “No employee shall be a member of any political organisation or take active part in any political activity. No university employee shall associate himself with or take an active part in politics,” Mr. Vaithianathan said.

Stating that Mr. Subramani had clearly violated the rules, the former PUTA president said that Mr. Subramani had served as a member of the Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Committee and the Syndicate. He had also applied for the post of Registrar of Periyar University. Mr. Vaithianathan said Mr. Subramani knew the university’s rules but had allegedly violated them intentionally.

An essay by Mr. Subramani had also been published in a book released by the DMK. According to Mr. Vaithianathan, Mr. Subramani’s participation in the function clearly indicated that he was an active member of a political party. “So, the university should place him under suspension immediately, and a committee should be formed to inquire into the allegations. Likewise, decisions made during his term as a member of the Vice-Chancellor Committee should be reviewed, and action should be taken if any decisions were found to have been made with a political agenda,” Mr. Vaithianathan added.

When contacted, Mr. Subramani was not available for comment. He also did not respond to the messages sent by The Hindu.

When contacted, Mr. Raj said that he had received the complaint on Tuesday. “We will take up the issue with the convenor of the Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Committee and take further action based on the convenor’s instructions,” the Periyar University Registrar (in-charge) added.

Published - October 27, 2026 03:18 pm IST