Senior syndicate member I I Pandya pointed out that as per chapter XXXIII, under the section 9, sub clause 2, the chancellor shall, when present preside at any convocation in the university.

He also pointed out that as per another sub clause the Vice-Chancellor could preside at a convocation only in the chancellor's absence. M S University Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane however added that since the supplementary convocation ceremony was generally simple, and there were very few students who were to be honoured, the V-C could preside over the function and also sign the certificates.

He added that since the function would be over in 10-15 minutes and there was no dignitary to address the convocation, the university would follow the long-standing practice of having a simple supplementary convocation.

Pandya however added that he had met Puar on June 7. Pandya claimed that neither she nor the royal family had given permission to any V-C to preside over a supplementary convocation or sign the degree or diploma certificates to be issued in such convocations.