Chennai, 28 July (H.S.):The 33rd convocation ceremony of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tirunelveli on Tuesday was overshadowed by controversy after student protests over last-minute changes to degree distribution and a boycott by the State Higher Education Minister over a protocol dispute.

What was expected to be a celebration for nearly 38,000 graduates instead witnessed discontent after the university altered its original plan for the convocation. Students and parents expressed disappointment when the institution announced, shortly before the event, that only gold medallists would receive their degrees directly from Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who presided over the ceremony.

The university had earlier informed students that 871 graduates would be conferred degrees in person by the Governor during the convocation, while a total of 37,877 candidates were to receive their degrees. However, the revised programme limited the Governor's interaction to only 113 gold medallists, with the remaining graduates receiving their certificates through the regular distribution process.

The unexpected decision triggered protests from several students and family members, many of whom had travelled to the university expecting to participate in the degree presentation ceremony. They alleged that the last-minute revision caused confusion and undermined the significance of the occasion.

The ceremony, which began around 45 minutes behind schedule, was also marked by a dispute over the order of ceremonial songs. According to the official programme, Vande Mataram was scheduled before Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the Tamil Nadu State invocation song.

Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan objected to the sequence, describing it as unacceptable, and boycotted the function. Tirunelveli TVK MLA Murugan and Kadayanallur MLA Rajendran also stayed away from the event in solidarity with the Minister, adding a political dimension to the convocation.

Despite the twin controversies, Governor Arlekar proceeded with the ceremony, conferring degrees on the 113 gold medallists. However, the protests and political boycott overshadowed the academic achievements of thousands of graduating students and dominated the day's proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman