MSU chancellor slams state govt over GSHEC Bill 2016

Vadodara: For the first time, Shubhangini Raje Gaekwad, the MS University chancellor and member of the royal family of the erstwhile Baroda state, expressed her reservations against the controversial Gujarat State Higher Education Council (GSHEC) Bill 2016 which was recently passed by the Gujarat assembly in absence of opposition Congress.
Responding to a delegation of around 50 eminent citizens of Baroda who sought her intervention to get the bill repelled on Monday, she slammed the state government saying that it was pity that academicians came to know about the bill only after it was passed.
Assuring the delegation that she will convey the pain and sentiments against the bill to Gujarat governor Om Prakash Kohli, she said the ball is now in the court of the governor who is yet to sign the bill.
The delegation that comprised of former vice-chancellor Dr Anil Kane, ex pro vice-chancellors Deepak De, professor Veena Mistry, cultural historian Alaknanda Patel included former and present teachers, ex and present presidents of Baroda University Teachers Associations, senators, councilors and alumni.
"From my side, I have also realized that there are certain clauses which are quite detrimental to the passing of this bill. The clause regarding the committee that will decide on all the matters does not involve people concerned with education. It is all but government," she said while addressing the gathering at the banquet hall of the Laxmi Vilas Palace.
"The control of government over the university started in late 70s and 80s and it continued. Sometimes, governments don't realize that today they are in power, tomorrow somebody else, some another party will be in power. But the fact is it is unfortunate," she said, adding that MSU's former chancellor late Maharaja Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad had also talked about it in various forums.
"We all know that deterioration has set in. So many appointments are in hands of the government. We do have unitary status and have our own Act but so many things are more on paper not in practice. That is unfortunately the reality. But, we cannot give up," she added.
On May 16, the delegation had met state governor who after giving them a patient hearing, had asked them to make a formal representation through MSU chancellor.