The present crisis at Manipur University, which is at its most crucial stage is slightly diverted from the peoples’ attention by the recent flash flood which submerged almost all part of Imphal Valley leaving thousands compelled to take shelter at relief camp. Power supply is still working at some places but failed at many places where the present flood has affected. Big media houses, which had the capability of reaching out almost all the corners of the state has not carried much detailed news on what are being happened in the Manipur University and small media and electronic media as well as the social networking site and internet medium which carry news about the happenings at Manipur University could not reach out to the majority people. The present natural calamity needs to be tackled to protect and ensured safety of all those people affected, but then it is also essential that the present crisis at Manipur University be considered with extreme seriousness at least by the present government. The ongoing crisis if it goes out of hand will mean a Manipur which has no future.
We all know that the needs for higher education in every state as well as across the globe is just not for getting certificate by a student to join government service, but it is also for sorting out social and economic issues besides National Security.
Knowledge that are being learned from the University through research is the only option for building a civilised society. That is why, every society consider University as a temple of knowledge for building a better society and for this reason every government always gives free hand without interfering into the matter for any political gains to the temple of Knowledge.
It is now over thirteen days, the crisis at the Manipur University remains unsettled and the momentum of the agitation is rising with teachers’ body joining the agitation after the present Vice Chancellor showed no respect to the community.
The genesis of the present impasse is the frequent leave by the Vice Chancellor. This newspaper reported that the VC since he assumed office in 2016 had not remained in the office more than 10 days a month, and the way the VC took leave violated the protocol of the University as he never mentioned date of his joining at the time of taking leave. This paper also reported that expenses for his travel to outside the state – whether or not related to the University has been bored by the University exchequer. A source had informed to this newspaper that the total expenditure he spent for his travel outside the state is around 8 crore rupees, which is yet to be verified. However, this paper stands with the source as the matter has not been replied when enquired through Right to Information Act. Information with the Imphal Times is that – the official quarter of the VC located at Babupara near Sanjenthong has been renovated at the cost of Rs. 40 lakhs. When the quarter the VC renovated for such a huge amount is not the property of the University and at the time he leaves it will be the state government’s property, which means that the University had unnecessarily spent Rs. 40 lakhs.
Leave aside these matters, what is more worrying is the fate of the students of this state. Those who could afford money to go outside might have no problem but those studying in the University and those undergraduates studying at colleges affiliated to the Manipur University are at stake. For students who wanted to go outside the state for further study are also facing problem as the Administrative block has been shut down for around 13 days.
Now as this newspaper has reported today about the resignations of the Deans of academic affairs, which means the crisis at Manipur University, is nearly reaching its catastrophe. Without Deans, academic activities will not be able to function properly and if the ongoing impasse is not solved.
Well, it is not late to begin something good, and the Chief Rector of the Manipur University, Dr. Najma Heptulla should immediately intervene and the state government particularly the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh should also intimate the Union HRD Ministry regarding the development at Manipur University as this is a matter of Manipur and its future. The present natural calamity caused by incessant rain need to be looked with extra seriousness to ensure safety of all the people of the state but than a little time on the issue arising at Manipur University should not be left aside.
