Student bodies see red over VC less MU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2020:
Many student bodies have denounced the Central Ministry of Education for not appointing a Vice Chancellor in-charge of Manipur University even as the varsity's academic programmes have been crippled since Jarnail Singh was relieved of his post as Administrator recently.
The student bodies include DESAM (Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur), AMSU (All Manipur Students' Union), MSF (Manipuri Students' Federation), KSA (Kangleipak Students' Association), SUK (Students' Union of Kangleipak), AIMS (Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup).
Stating that the Manipur University has been without an Administrator/VC in-charge since Jarnail Singh was relieved of his post as Administrator by the High Court of Manipur on November 30, the student bodies in a joint statement said that the various academic programmes and administrative activities have been crippled ever since.
Denouncing the Centre and the Education Ministry, the student bodies questioned if the people of the State are being treated as 'second class citizens' by not appointing a VC in-charge of Manipur University.
Asking how the varsity is supposed to function without a VC in-charge, the bodies said careers of the students are at stake as they are not able to get their academic certificates and other documents needed for further studies and other businesses.
The losses incurred due to the non appointment of the VC in-charge should be borne by the Ministry of Education as it has failed to implement the interim measures which it was supposed to take up.
The MU authority had repeatedly intimated the Education Ministry to appoint a VC in-charge to resume normal functioning of the varsity.
So far, the Ministry has not paid any heed, they claimed asserting that the attitude shown towards the varsity is an insult to the people of Manipur.
They reminded that the varsity had seen some of the most ugly episodes of security forces attacking students inside the campus and arrest/detention of students and teachers when the impasse surrounding former VC AP Pandey was at its peak.
Appointment of a regular VC is unlikely as a case is pending before the Delhi High Court following a petition filed by former VC AP Pandey.
Nonetheless, the Ministry should have appointed a VC in-charge early as soon as Jarnail Singh was relieved of his post as Administrator to maintain the academic atmosphere in the varsity, the student bodies said.
They also appealed the Rector of the varsity, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N Biren Singh to intervene and bring about a conducive academic environment in the varsity.
The bodies hinted that they may launch agitation if a VC in-charge is not appointed at the earliest and said that the State Government and the Centre should be held responsible for any untoward incident in the varsity.
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