Governor steps in, CU VC promises legal steps

KOLKATA: Outgoing Calcutta University vice-chancellor Suranjan Das has promised legal steps on the lines of the “confidential note” he submitted to the chancellor on Monday.
“Legal steps are being taken. Wait for a day or two,” said CU VC at the university after meeting university chancellor Keshari Nath Tripathi at Raj Bhavan. “I tried to contact the chancellor on the day of the incident.He was out of town then. I met him today and apprised him about the incident and the perspective,” the CU VC said. When asked what steps he would be taking when there is no police complaint, the VC said: “Steps can be taken without a police complaint.”
The university chancellor expressed his concern to the VC and also made a written appeal to the demonstrators to help the university get to normal. “I request the teaching and non-teaching staff to withdraw their sit-in demonstration and restore normalcy in the university. Concerned teachers and non teaching employees can come and meet me. I will be happy to give them time. To the students, I say help the VC in creating a congenial atmosphere at university without any outside interference,” the chancellor said. Tripathi asked the VC to read out his appeal to the stake holders.
The chancellor didn’t stop by making a formal appeal. He instructed the registrar to send all the relevant documents in regard to the current imbroglio to Raj Bhavan by Tuesday noon. The chancellor also took note that CU is yet to amend the university statute in conformity with the new Act. A university committee under Amit Sen had prepared the draft statute long ago. But the effort got stalled after the state government wanted a common statute for all universities and set up a fresh committee. A statute under new Act can only ensure the participation of stake holders in the university administration.
Former vice-chancellors led Ananda Deb Mukherjee called on the CU VC on Monday soon after he came back from Raj Bhavan. They urged him to order an inquiry under a retired judge into the alleged assault of teachers. “We also requested the VC to take appropriate steps when the high court has ordered a stay on the suspension of finance officer Harisadhan Ghosh accused in the alleged fund diversion,” Mukherjee said.
According to CU sources, the VC may scrap the existing inquiry panel and set up a fresh committee to look into the allegations. Such a step isn’t likely to satisfy the agitating teachers and employees. “What’s the point in setting up a new inquiry committee when the existing panel has submitted its report? This seems to be a time taking tactic only,” said CU teacher Dibyendu Pal.
However, a section of CU teachers is in two minds over continuing the stir after the chancellor made an appeal to them to call off the sit-in demonstration. “Let the VC hand over the chancellor’s appeal to us at the dharna mancha tomorrow. We will take a collective call,” a CU teacher said. As of now, the “Save Autonomy, Save University” forum leading the demonstration has called for a mass convention on Friday to apprise the public their view on the situation.