DESAM goes hammer and tongs against MU decision
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 25 2016: Before the written missive from the Union HRD Ministry to the Registrar came out in the public domain, the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) went hammer and tongs against the then Acting VC of Manipur University, Prof Amar Yumnam as a man who knows nothing about the ground reality of MU.

Explaining, DESAM said that the decision taken by the Deans/HoDs of MU on October 22 which the then Acting VC chaired was invalid for the simple reason that the Academic Council on October 12 under then Acting VC Prof Th Jekendra had decided to refer the October 8 decision to the Visitor, who is the President of India as the October 8 decision of the Academic Council was not unanimous.

DESAM goes hammer and tongs against MU decision

The same day, that is October 12, the matter was referred to the President of India, it added.

The October 8 resolution had decided to adopt the CEI (reservation in admission) Act of 2006 .

Referring to regulation 8.3 and clause number 5.7 of the Ordinances of MU, DESAM said that there should be a consensus in all decisions.

'However, in exceptional circumstances, the Chairman may put the resolution for voting.

In case of differences of opinion on any matter and if still the issue remains unresolved, the matter shall be referred to the visitor (President of India), whose decision will be final,' said DESAM quoting the regulations and ordinances of MU.

It is for this reason why the October 8 resolution was referred to the visitor on October 12, reasoned, DESAM and added that at the moment a response from the visitor is being awaited.

DESAM then questioned Prof Amar Yumnam whether the meeting of the HoDs/Deans held on October 22 can overrule the decision of the Academic Council which was taken on October 12 .

Stating that the decision of the Academic Council of October 12 cannot be overruled by the HoDs/Deans under any circumstances, DESAM said that the Academic Council is the highest decision making body in a university.

Therefore the decision of the HoDs/Deans taken on October 22 can never and should never be implemented, it added.

Stating that what is happening at MU is more than an administrative or management issue, DESAM said that it is about violating the principles of natural justice, and has social and political implications.

Two VC-in-charge have resigned on the same issue and numerous students have left the university campus, said DESAM.

Moreover the registrar-in-charge and Dean of student welfare have also submitted their resignation letters.

Overlooking the seriousness of the issue, Prof Amar Yumnam is fishing in troubled water and not to resolve the impasse, it added.