The University Grants Commission seems to be in agreement with various Sangh Parivar outfits demanding the ouster of noted historian Dr K N Panikkar as the vice-chancellor of the Sree Shankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, Kerala.

A UGC sub-committee, which studied the functioning of the country's premier centre for Sanskrit studies, has recommended that only Sanskrit scholars be appointed as the vice-chancellor of the university.

But Dr Panikkar told rediff.com that the UGC sub-committee does not have any such authority. "Knowledge of Sanskrit is not essential to run a university," he said. "The role of the sub-committee was to look into the functioning of the infrastructure and academic facilities of the university."

Dr Panikkar added that he has not yet got any intimation from the UGC on the matter.

The university, located at the birthplace of Jagadguru Adi Sankara, is the country's biggest learning centre imparting higher education in Sanskrit, Indology, Indian philosophy and Indian languages.

The previous Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, two years ago, had appointed Dr Panikkar, one of the leading Marxist historians in the country, as the head of the university.

A number of Sangh Parivar organisations had then objected to Dr Panikkar's appointment arguing that he is not fit to be the vice chancellor, as he does not have any knowledge of Sanskrit.

But despite opposition from the Sangh Parivar, Dr Panikkar has continued as the vice-chancellor.

Last year, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had petitioned the Kerala government to remove Dr Panikkar.

The VHP alleges that Dr Panikkar does not have any respect for the culture of Sanskrit.

The UGC is yet to give official approval to the university. The recommendations of the sub-committee are said to be crucial in the granting of a full-fledged university status to the institution.

The committee has made various recommendations, including a suggestion that only students with basic knowledge of Sanskrit be admitted for the various courses in the university.