Even as sources close to the V-C have confirmed that the resignation is certainly not on medical grounds, the same can be inferred from the recent incidents of slogan-shouting, gherao and blatant show of disrespect to the chair of the chief executive officer of the university by the striking unions. These incidents had reportedly perturbed the V-C, sources said. Manoharan was not available for comments.

There were demonstrations against the V-C on the day when the high court stayed the decision of the Governor and the Chancellor in withholding approval for theTamil course and the Syndicate held an extraordinary meeting to ratify promotions for 53 readers and lecturers. At an earlier Syndicate meeting, the V-C was gheraoed by a group which shouted slogans at the entrance of the Syndicate room. This resulted in the meeting being called off abruptly.

Last year, at a meeting of the Academic Council, the V-C tendered an apology for a lapse in procedure. However, despite this, a section of the Council members threatened to bring a ``no-confidence motion'' against him.

The Academic Council meetings held during the past two weeks also witnessed heated exchanges which, according to sources close to Manoharan, have a direct bearing on his resignation.

They also link his resignation with the several bitter experiences he had in the management of the varsity since he took over as Vice-Chancellor on November 6, 1997. His three-year term was due to expire in November 2,000.

The V-C worked out many plans for the betterment of the university, including installation ofcomputers in various departments, strengthening the Credit-Based Semester System and publishing an Academic Prospectus claimed to be the first of its kind in any Indian university. The Madras University Staff Association has expressed regret over his resignation.