Radhakrishnan was appointed VC by the Congress-led United Democratic Front government in 2004.

On his fourth day in office, SFI activists burnt his effigy. They were backed by the teachers’ union affiliated to the CPM. That was followed by a charge of sexual harassment. When two women research scholars met him to extend the time of closing the gate of the ladies hostel by two hours, Radhakrishnan asked the girls whether it would be a cause of concern to their parents.

His detractors in the university latched on to that question and the scholars were asked to register complaints with the police, State Women’s Commission and the University. At the end of a high-decibel campaign, the issue died down.

A corruption charge came next. Radhakrishnan was dragged to a vigilance case over a decision taken by the university’s Syndicate. Left unions alleged that it was the VC’s decision. Despite the Accountant-General’s report, which gave him a clean chit, the Education Minister’s office ordered a vigilance probe. “Education Minister and CPM Central Committee member M A Baby promised to look into the matter within 15 days. But he never did so,” recalls Radhakrishnan, who had to move the High Court to get a stay on the probe.

Minister Baby, when contacted, said it was unbecoming of a VC to raise such “baseless allegations.” On the vigilance probe, Baby said the inspection report from the Finance Department had found financial irregularities.

His worst crisis came in 2006 when he transferred a CPM union leader over alleged financial irregularities. For 18 days, the university was turned into a battleground. The office was shut for 10 days and the VC was not allowed to enter the campus. Radhakrishnan got calls that threatened to kill his two daughters. For six months, police provided security to his entire family.

... contd.