T.N. Higher Education Minister skips Anna University convocation

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan skipped the Anna University convocation on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), where Governor R.N. Ravi was to participate and give away medals and certificates to graduands.

Sources said the Minister’s decision was “inevitable”. He also gave the University of Madras convocation a miss last month.

This comes in the backdrop of an acrimonious relationship between the State government and the Governor. On many occasions, Dr. Chezhiaan had spoken strongly against the Governor’s actions, especially those related to State universities, of which he is the Chancellor.

The Tamil Nadu government had recently passed a Bill in the Assembly seeking to transfer the power of appointing Vice-Chancellors from the Governor to the Chief Minister, which is being heard at the Supreme Court.