FEDCUTA condemns the situation of a ‘war zone’ created by the administration of Manipur University
The FEDCUTA notes with alarm the turn of events at the Manipur University. A peaceful protest movement by the teachers, students and the university community to prevent agents of the suspended VC from vitiating the Visitorial Inquiry has resulted in a massive crackdown by the police and para military forces called in by these agents.
It is reported that over 90 students and six teachers have been arrested in a night long raid at the students hostel and teachers houses. The campus is tense and as yet there are no attempts to defuse the situation. It was earlier reported that the incumbent vice Chancellor had been suspended by the MHRD which had set up an Inquiry against him after the massive protests against him. The current crisis has been triggered by a false complaint lodged against protesting students and teachers, by an illegal Pro- Vice Chancellor installed by the suspended Vice Chancellor without the approval from the EC. This illegal PVC forced his way in to take over from the Acting VC just when the Visitorial Inquiry was beginning its proceedings, in a transparent attempt to vitiate the process of a free and fair inquiry. Apart from the illegality of the appointment, allowing a person appointed by the suspended VC to preside during an ongoing Inquiry against him raises serious issues of conflict of interest.
The suspended VC has also directly attacked the constitutional right of freedom of association in the university by “banning” the Manipur university teachers association and the Manipur university student union. Moreover, his illegally appointed PVC has reportedly suspended some teachers and issued an order that no teacher would be permitted to talk to the media or make a public statement. As a consequence of these draconian and high-handed measures, all channels of negotiation and dialogue seem to have broken down.
The FEDCUTA believes that a university space should be for an adventure of ideas and not for authoritarian imposition of an ideology or paramilitary force.
The FEDCUTA condemns the situation of a ‘war zone’ created by the Manipur Government at the behest of vested interests in the University administration. We demand an immediate withdrawal of the paramilitary forces from the campus and release of all those arrested to help restore normalcy on the campus. We also demand the immediate rollback of all draconian steps taken by the illegal PVC against the University community, including revocation of suspension of faculty members, and withdrawal of illegal orders taking away the fundamental democratic rights of the faculty.
The FEDCUTA appeals to the Visitor for his immediate intervention to ensure the rule of law in the University as well as the sanctity of the Inquiry, unhampered by agents of the suspended VC, so that normalcy is restored at the earliest.
It is reported that over 90 students and six teachers have been arrested in a night long raid at the students hostel and teachers houses. The campus is tense and as yet there are no attempts to defuse the situation. It was earlier reported that the incumbent vice Chancellor had been suspended by the MHRD which had set up an Inquiry against him after the massive protests against him. The current crisis has been triggered by a false complaint lodged against protesting students and teachers, by an illegal Pro- Vice Chancellor installed by the suspended Vice Chancellor without the approval from the EC. This illegal PVC forced his way in to take over from the Acting VC just when the Visitorial Inquiry was beginning its proceedings, in a transparent attempt to vitiate the process of a free and fair inquiry. Apart from the illegality of the appointment, allowing a person appointed by the suspended VC to preside during an ongoing Inquiry against him raises serious issues of conflict of interest.
The suspended VC has also directly attacked the constitutional right of freedom of association in the university by “banning” the Manipur university teachers association and the Manipur university student union. Moreover, his illegally appointed PVC has reportedly suspended some teachers and issued an order that no teacher would be permitted to talk to the media or make a public statement. As a consequence of these draconian and high-handed measures, all channels of negotiation and dialogue seem to have broken down.
The FEDCUTA believes that a university space should be for an adventure of ideas and not for authoritarian imposition of an ideology or paramilitary force.
The FEDCUTA condemns the situation of a ‘war zone’ created by the Manipur Government at the behest of vested interests in the University administration. We demand an immediate withdrawal of the paramilitary forces from the campus and release of all those arrested to help restore normalcy on the campus. We also demand the immediate rollback of all draconian steps taken by the illegal PVC against the University community, including revocation of suspension of faculty members, and withdrawal of illegal orders taking away the fundamental democratic rights of the faculty.
The FEDCUTA appeals to the Visitor for his immediate intervention to ensure the rule of law in the University as well as the sanctity of the Inquiry, unhampered by agents of the suspended VC, so that normalcy is restored at the earliest.
Rajib Ray Sonajharia Minz
(President FEDCUTA) (Secretary FEDCUTA)
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