Don't turn MU into a political arena: PANDM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 15 2018: People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) has warned the State and the Central Governments against turning Manipur University into apolitical battlefield.

PANDM also warned Chief Minister N Biren Singh that if the Government stays mum regarding the issue any longer, there is no telling whether the current protest against the VC of Manipur University will shift direction towards him in the near future.

A press release issued by the secretary information and public relations of PANDM today stated that the current impasse at MU is growing even bigger instead of subsiding and blamed that State Government for failing to resolve the crisis at the early stage.

Even though the protest began with Manipur University Students Union (MUSU), the joining of Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) has affected not only the university but the whole State and its people as well.

Pointing out that the CSOs of the State can no longer remain silent at this stage, PANDM conveyed that it wholly supports the protest of the agitating bodies and feels that their demand is justified.

Claiming that more than 70 percent of the charges levelled against the current VC Professor Adya Prasad Pandey is irrefutable , PANDM conveyed that it would be right for the VC to resign.

If the VC keeps trying to ignore the protest any further, the issue may explode and turn into an ugly mess, it warned.

PANDM informed that many of the Central institutes in the State often experience such setbacks regularly and narrated the examples of the lack of a regular Director at RIMS and the resulting issues.

It mentioned that when news broke that HRD Ministry would be sending a regular VC to Manipur University, the people welcomed the step, even if the person was not from Manipur, as they thought that some of the issues/problems of the university would be resolved.

PANDM claimed that the people welcomed Professor AP Pandey who was the HoD of Economics Department, Benaras Hindu University.

However, all hopes were shattered as the said VC turned out to be someone who had no knowledge of administration and as a result, Manipur University, today, is now on the brink of extinction, it claimed and accused the VC of ignoring his duties to remain in office and look after the university's workings.

PANDM stated that the time is right to question why the VC is still adamant and have regard of the protest against him.

It alleged that the VC's wife, Veena Pandey is reportedly regarded as an iron lady not only in Lucknow BJP but among the Central leaders as well and she is also closely acquainted with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and even current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Claiming that Professor Adya Prasad Pandey is acting all high and mighty because he thinks he will stay as the VC even if BJP does not stay in power in Manipur, PANDM said that it is the right time to question why such an individual was sent to Manipur and not to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata.

Warning against turning MU into a political warzone and ruining the university by turning the post of the VC as a political appointment, PANDM demanded the current VC be suspended or be given forced leave or to transfer him to another place.

It also demanded a High Power Committee to conduct the inquiry into the issue and not the Fact Finding Committee of the HRD Ministry.

It further demanded the authorities concerned to take up necessary and befitting actions against those who are found in the wrong.

PANDM warned that if the State Government keeps on worshipping Professor Adya Prasad Pandey due to his links with Central political heavyweights, the current protest may shift its direction towards the Chief Minister instead.

Questioning how the Central Government, ignoring all the eligible and well qualified senior most Professors from Manipur, appointed Professor Pandey as the university's VC, PANDM added that the whole fiasco has turned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Corruption Free India slogan into a big joke.

It also demanded the CM to consider the sentiments of the people and act according to the wishes of the people and get Professor Pandey removed from the post of VC .

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