The formal apology tendered by the Manipur University vice-chancellor in-charge professor K Yugindro to the Governor of Manipur Dr Najma Heptulla days after the first citizen of the state reprimanded him for questioning her action have put the protracted issue unfolding currently at Manipur University in a new light. While the reason offered by the VC in Charge of being under mental stress sounds fairly convincing under the prevailing circumstances, it still cut no ice with anyone. It also points to the inherent inability to work under pressure- a prerequisite for any individual who is heading one of the most important and vital position in the sphere of education. The present continuation of the standoff and deteriorating condition inside the university is also a result of the inability of the incumbent VC in charge, in part if not in entirety, to make correct and appropriate understanding of the current situation and thereby failing to properly assess the condition- a point he have admitted to in his letter dated October 8, addressed to the secretary to the Governor.
Prof Yugindro also reportedly admitted to filing a false FIR against the students as he was never manhandled by the students during his discussion with the Governor at the Raj Bhavan. This very admission of the VC in Charge is a grave matter and one which is bound to have far reaching repercussions and unwanted fallout if the state government fails to take appropriate and timely action on it. And make no mistake, the already vitiated atmosphere which had spilled over into the public domain will surely pick up on the matter sooner than anybody would expect.
The students and teachers who have been detained by the state security due to the FIR lodged by the VC in Charge for alleged manhandling are yet to be released, with non-stop protests and demand for their release by the students, teaching and non teaching staffs as well as numerous CSOs showing solidarity with the agitating parties. What is the state government waiting for when the very person who have falsely implicated a number of students and teachers of the University for manhandling have confessed to his deliberate mistakes to the first citizen of the state? worse still, the people will surely demand what course of action is to be taken up for such deliberate false implications which have resulted in midnight raids inside the University campus, detainment of a number of students and teachers and worsening the law and order situation not only in the University but the whole state?
The present development is a challenge and an opportunity as well to take up concrete and timely steps to bring closure to the protracted crisis besieging the highest institution of learning in the state and end the dilemma thousands of students are undergoing at the earliest. How the state government as well as those at the centre handles the issue will determine the future of the students, the university as well as the political party in power at present along with its leaders.
