Summary
In response to a question on Calcutta University holding the meeting of its highest decision-making body — the syndicate — in disregard of the education department’s advice, the minister said the government was 'keeping track of who is acting in contravention of the law'
Education minister Bratya Basu said the officiating vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University is supposed to attend the office and that no one can remove officiating VCs.
In response to a question on Calcutta University holding the meeting of its highest decision-making body — the syndicate — in disregard of the education department’s advice, the minister said the government was “keeping track of who is acting in contravention of the law”.
The officiating JU VC, Buddhadeb Sau, has not been attending the office since December 27, triggering an administrative deadlock in the university, which has repeatedly approached the education department to seek suggestions on how to end the impasse.
“He is supposed to attend the office. According to the order of the Supreme Court, those who are sitting in the office of the VC have been authorised to take care of the office. Nobody can say anything about removing them. The education department, too, cannot remove him. Only the Supreme Court can do this. If anyone dares to violate what the Supreme Court has ordered, that will be against the law,” the minister told reporters on Friday evening.
The state government had in August last year filed a special leave petition challenging the Bengal governor’s decision to appoint officiating VCs keeping the education department in the dark. The governor is the ex-officio chancellor of state-aided universities.
On December 23, the chancellor had ordered Sau’s removal for deciding to go ahead with the annual convocation, ignoring Raj Bhavan’s wish. Hours later, the education department asked Sau to continue as officiating VC.
Citing the conflicting orders, Sau has been staying away from the office, leaving the campus in limbo.
Last updated on 10 Feb 2024
