First off, there should not be an iota of doubt on the fact that the removal of a Vice Chancellor of a university depends on whether the university in question is a state or central university. If the university under consideration happens to be a state university, only the Governor of the state, appointed as the union’s representative by the president acting as the Chancellor of the university can invoke certain provisions and dismiss a serving Vice Chancellor. The case for removal of a Vice chancellor of a central University is a different matter altogether.
To iterate the point mentioned in the editorial of Imphal Times July 10 edition, only the President of India who is the visitors of central universities can impeach a vice chancellor of a central university on the recommendation of the ministry of HRD after substantiating allegations and charges made against the VCs.
So the Chief Minister and Governor cannot officially initiate moves to dismiss or impeach AP Pandey. However, it is their moral obligation as titular and executive heads of the state to push for a speedy and transparent probe into the allegations and charges against the incumbent Vice Chancellor of Manipur University with the HRD Ministry so that due recommendations may be made to the President of India for or against the dismissal / impeachment of AP Pandey as VC.
One thing everyone in the state has a consensus on is the need to restore normalcy and regular academic functions in the University so that the students can continue with their interrupted studies.
It is also no secret that the incumbent VC has allegedly been involved in activities that go against the rules and spirit of the university and his position as an academician. The brunt of such alleged maladministration has been felt by the students, teachers as well as non-teaching staff of the university. The least that the state government can do is to step and exercise its powers to see that a committee endorsed by the agitating groups but within the terms and regulations of the university be set up to investigate and come out with the truth. Anything less and the state government will be taken for a stooge of the radical forces with political sway at the centre.
The present developments, along with the manner in which the state government has been responding to the crisis regarding Manipur University bodes ill for the students and their academic future. The whole issue has taken a dirty political hue and more worryingly, the focus of the agitation has evidently shifted from removal of ice Chancellor AP Pandey to resumption of normal academic atmosphere in the university. It has started to pitch one set of students against another. This is clearly a deviation from the core issue and it would not be such a surprise if the hands of politically motivated groups and forces are revealed.
The only way towards a lasting solution to the issue would be for the state government and the governor to force the HRD ministry to act in the best interest of the students of the university so that it may prove to be a precedent for all future VCs to remember and follow.
A counter policies to derail the democratic movement will never be solution as the core issue now has been open to the public.
