Opened after 85 days of agitation : Lessons from the past
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: August 25 2018 -

This is just a question but a valid one.

What if the panel finds nothing wrong in the probe initiated against VC Adya Prasad Pandey ?

What if the allegations levelled against the man from Varanasi cannot be verified and he is given a clean chit ?

Will he be allowed to return to Manipur University and resume duty as the VC again ?

Not exactly shooting in the dark, for a probe is a probe and it can go either way and one cannot just presume that AP Pandey is guilty of all the charges levelled against him.

Whichever way the wind blows, it is not likely that Pandey would return to MU for the 85 days of agitation must have been more than enough for him to know that he has no takers in the varsity.

In such a scenario then what happens ?

Given his closeness to the powers that be, it will not be surprising if he is not asked to step down, provided the probe finds nothing wrong in his conduct as the VC of MU.

So can MU expect to see a situation where the Pro-VC practically runs the show with all the powers and responsibilities of a VC ?

And if such a situation comes by then will MU see a series of lobbying and ‘confidential reports’ being forwarded to the powers that be ?

The probability of such a situation arising cannot be exactly ruled out and one only hopes that things do not go down to the level of punching below the belt.

On the other hand it is heartening to see MU re-opening after 85 days of protest and one only hopes that the examination results of the 6th semester students of colleges affiliated to MU are declared as soon as possible.

For students who had set their eyes on moving to universities based outside the State, it is already late, and it is the fate of these students which is the most disturbing.

And it is at this juncture one needs to rewind two years back and study why and how AP Pandey was sent here.

If at all any lesson is to be learnt from the 85 days of agitation, then it should obviously be to digest why AP Pandey was sent here and accordingly take steps to ensure that the internal bickerings and the stand off that one witnessed two years back are not repeated at all in the coming days.

It is also important to keep in mind that if AP Pandey is asked to step down, the Centre may well send in a hand picked man from anywhere in the country.

That is, if the on campus power politics of who should be the named the next VC of Pro VC comes out in all its ugliness.

It is this reality which should not blow over the heads of anyone.

One should not forget that the oust Pandey campaign which paralysed MU for 85 days was all done for the sake of the university and the sanctity of the university can be ensured only when those who are calling the shots and wield considerable influence at the varsity are sincere in their approach to any issue.

In short infighting should stop. Petty politics should stop.

All should have MU as the centre piece in all their activities and personal ego and personal agenda should go.

MU cannot afford to tolerate inflated egos.