VC objects to choice of words, adjourns Syndicate meet

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 21

Panjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover adjourned the Syndicate meeting on Saturday after a syndic used “sh*t” word during the discussion on the PU affidavit in the High Court on governance reforms.

The Syndicate meeting was called to discuss the agenda items remaining from the last meeting held on March 30. As soon as the meeting began, Syndic Prabhjit Singh raised the issue of PU’s affidavit in the High Court. He said they had reservations over it and wanted that the affidavit should be withdrawn. But the Vice-Chancellor said he wouldn’t withdraw it. 

The affidavit by Prof Grover stated: “The groupism in the Senate had reached such a sorry state that discussions did not take place on merit and factionalism prevailed.” He also added that the new initiatives for the university’s sustenance were getting thwarted for the want of consensus in the Syndicate or the Senate and serious offenders were getting away due to technicalities. The case has its genesis in a suo motu notice taken by the High Court over the PU’s financial mess. The next hearing is on May 15.

The discussion

Syndic Amit Joshi asked the VC which issue in the Syndicate or the Senate had been passed against his wishes. He added that most of the agenda items had been passed unanimously except the punishment to Komal Singh, who is accused of sexual harassment, in which the members casted votes. “I asked him about the issue which couldn’t be discussed due to groupism in the governing bodies, but the VC did not reply. The preparation of agenda is the duty of the Vice-Chancellor and not the Syndicate or Senate. An irreparable damage has been caused to the University by his affidavit,” he said. 

When Syndic Inderpal Singh Sidhu said the visit of former PM Manmohan Singh was not managed well as senators were treated like “sh*t”, Prof Grover walked out of the meeting.

In absence of the VC, syndics requested GS Malhi to preside over the meeting, but then the VC came and adjourned the meeting.

When questioned over the use of “sh*t” word, Sidhu said: “The word I used was not unparliamentary. Dr Gurmeet Singh, Dr JC Mehta, Dr Shaminder Sandhu and I were treated like sh*t during the Manmohan Singh’s visit.”

There are two groups in the Senate, one is led by Prof Navdeep Goyal, chairman of the Physics Department, and another by Ashok Goyal.

On VC’s affidavit, Prof Navdeep Goyal said: “Talking about the governance reforms, the process began three years ago as the committee was set up for the purpose on the proposal of then PUTA (Panjab University Teachers Association) president Prof Akshaya Kumar. The process should have been allowed to be completed.”

Ashok Goyal said, “Probably, it is the first time in the history of the PU when the VC, who is the chief executive officer of the university, has filed an affidavit using undesirable language and unfounded allegations against the members of the supreme body — Senate. This has caused irreparable damage to the image and prestige of the university and also its governing body.”

He said: “The members are hurt by the action of the VC.”

Agenda items for next meeting on April 29

• Appointment of Dean of International Students
• Appointment of Dean of College Development Council
• Appointment of Dean of University Instructions
• Allocation of Rs 5 crore for the infrastructure development of the humanities departments
• Fee hike in the PU teaching departments and constituent colleges
• Reduction in the fee of MPharma courses
• Adoption of guidelines for appointing adjunct faculty in the PU and affiliated colleges
• Request of UBS students for improving the infrastructure in the department