IT Desk
Imphal, Aug 18:
The ongoing crisis at Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) in Manipur has become a never-ending saga of controversies, affecting students, faculty, and administrative staff alike. What began as a student movement has escalated into a full-blown legal and administrative battle, with the matter being brought before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and eventually reaching the office of the Chancellor, who was then the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey.
The university administration has faced intense scrutiny, particularly concerning its recent faculty recruitment process. In a swift move, the DMU authorities declared the results for faculty and staff positions, which included some surprising selections. Several students who had applied for faculty positions and never expected to be selected found their names on the list. This raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
Initially, 88 faculty positions across various departments were advertised. However, the university went on to select an additional 46 candidates on what it claimed to be a “complete merit basis.” The justification for this additional recruitment was apparently due to a pressing need for more faculty members. Yet, this move has not gone uncontested. The recruitment of these 46 additional faculty members was soon challenged in the High Court of Manipur, with petitioners alleging lapses in the selection process.
As a result, the High Court has ordered that the recruitment of the additional 46 faculty members be kept in abeyance until a final decision is made. This legal intervention has left the fate of these selected candidates hanging in the balance. As the university awaits the court’s ruling, the future of these aspiring faculty members remains uncertain, casting a shadow over their careers and the functioning of the university.
DMU, which had seen a glimmer of hope following the government’s serious concern over its troubled state, now finds itself back in turbulent waters. The university’s reputation, already battered by previous controversies, is once again at stake. The question of whether there were indeed lapses in the recruitment process or whether the petitioners’ claims hold merit is now up to the High Court to decide.
In such a scenario, the role of the government becomes crucial. If the authorities believe that the recruitment process was conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations, it is imperative that they present a robust defense in court. The government’s defense will not only be about safeguarding the recruitment process but also about restoring confidence in the university’s administration.
The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications, not just for the 46 candidates whose appointments have been put on hold but also for the university’s future. It is a situation that demands transparency, fairness, and accountability from all parties involved. As the legal battle unfolds, the DMU community and the people of Manipur wait anxiously for a resolution that ensures justice for all and brings stability to an institution that has long been mired in controversy.
