MU Imbroglio: Power games now
- Imphal Times Editorial :: June 26 2018 -

After 25 days of unrest and chaos, which hampered all sort of academic activities in the Manipur University, Vice Chancellor Prof. Adiya Prasad Pandey finally reveals to the press clarifying that all allegations levelled against him were baseless.

When one goes through both the allegations and the clarifications, it shows a clear sign of igniting a power games in the prevailing crisis – between those for the VC and those against VC.

One thing that both those for and against the VC left aside behind the curtain is the appointment of nearly 20 contract staffs during the last two months for reason best known to both the party.

Another interesting event that took place is the postponement of the PG Course examination at JNIMS.

The exam was supposed to be held on May 9, 2018 without the presence of any inspector of the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The MCI instructed the JNIMS authority to defer the same exams by 20 days or one month – reasons - the Manipur University authority failed to intimate the MCI regarding the sending of one MCI inspector as no proceeding was initiated as the VC was out of station.

To a news report carried by Imphal Times about intimation to the HRD Ministry and PMO by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the resignation of the 5 Deans, Prof. Pandey said that he had never written to any Ministry regarding nexus between UGs and the MUSU, but his straight words on the resignation of deans were due to pressure again raised the curtain and exposed the fact which literarily proves the Imphal Times report as true.

After all everyone knows Veena Pandey, the wife of AP Pandey is a close associate of the Home Minister Mr. Rajnath and has long hand in the affairs of the BJP which is heading the NDA government at the center as well as in the state.

Prof. Pandey’s clarification regarding his absence from the University does not justify nor convincing to the allegations as he failed to produce the total expenditure as well as the total number days about his stay outside the state.

Well the professor didn’t run away from the question raised by the reporter but still then he did not give any time frame to produce the required documents of the expenditure sought by the reporters.

A press statement signed by 5 office bearers of the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) strongly refuted to the clarifications of the VC and said that there will be no U-turn to the demand for removal of the VC.

Yet, the VC Prof. Adiya Prasad Pandey stands tough saying that he will not resign as he has come to serve the University.

But How? A big question to everyone.

Well reopening the annals of events that had some times put the Manipur University into total chaos, it is worth recalling how Prof. Ng. Bijoy solved the issue, after MUTA strongly objected his appointment as the VC.

The MUSU, the MUSA were not part of the agitation at that time and it was a state University which means that the state government can interfere into the matters.

There is no record on the way that Prof. Ng. Bijoy handled the issue but talks about the tactful utilization of dividing policies are still at large in the university.

And moreover the law and order conditions during the time also had also favoured the then professor in becoming the VC.

Now the present issue at Manipur University is not by the MUSU alone.

MUTA and MUSA which are the main stakeholders of the University have come up with the same demand.

A power game to MUSU will not work if MUTA and MUSA are left aside.

Refusal of the Joint Secretary of the Union HRD Ministry who visited the state to take stock of the prevailing situation has already fueled anger to the MUTA.

The MUSU denial to the invitation by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who is known for his experience in solving crisis, showed that – the ongoing impasse is going to continue as long as the VC is remains in the University.

Divisive policy now is the only option left and these were somehow reflected in a newsreport of the news paper.

Some students’ body had openly warned hampering of the academic atmosphere of the students.

But again these students’ body did not justify the VC neither criticised the students’ uproar in the University.

The stalemate to the functioning of the Manipur University has not only affected the students of the University but also to all the students doing graduate and undergraduate course at various colleges affiliated to the University.

25 days of impasse putting a complete halt to the academic activities and the Union HRD Ministry taking no measures for a solution is unacceptable.

This shows that the Union HRD Ministry has no interest for the welfare of the people of Manipur.