NEFIS writes to university and college teachers' bodies, seeks solidarity for crisis at MU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 12 2018:
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has written to different university and college teachers' bodies, civil society and democratic organizations across the country regarding the ongoing crisis in Manipur University, where the students have been on a strike, demanding the resignation of the Vice Chancellor, Prof A P Pandey.
A press release issued by convening committee member of NEFIS has appealed to the academic community to write against the present crisis in MU, in solidarity with MU students, teachers and karamcharis.
NEFIS has further appealed to all teachers' bodies to extend support to the movement at MU and write to the authorities concerned regarding immediate removal of the VC and withdrawal/cancellation of all actions taken by the VC office during his tenure.
It noted that the academic and non-academic community of MU have been protesting against the VC for more than a month now and added that a peaceful assembly of students was lathi charged outside the Chief Minister's residence where they went to appeal for his intervention regarding the release of their mark sheets.
It also observed that all the Deans and Heads of Departments of MU have resigned in protest against the VC for gross dereliction of duty and blatant flouting of all financial and administrative rules and norms at the university.
Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) also launched a relay hunger strike to press for resignation of the VC .
It further noted that the VC's office has committed many alleged irregularities such as making arbitrary and illegal donations from university funds to student group, ABVP.
He has been allegedly guilty of not conducting meetings with Executive Council and Finance Council as stipulated by Manipur University rules and brazenly violates MU Act, 2005 by neglecting court meetings, it observed.
He is also allegedly guilty of grave financial and administrative irregularities, including appointment to non-existent posts and vindictive denial of promotion to a large number of teachers by making illegal changes in the due process.
It stated that universities are spaces meant to promote academic pursuits and not one's selfish goals and as such VC has no moral right to continue in his post.