Jadavpur University (JU) has convened a meeting on Friday to decide on an emergent situation in the wake of the removal of the officiating vice-chancellor by the governor, a development that has created doubts among officials and teachers about who is at the helm of the university.
JU has also contacted the higher education department on what could be the way forward.
The imbroglio has resulted from contradictory orders issued by the governor, who is ex-officio chancellor of JU, and the higher education department.
Hours after the chancellor ordered the removal of officiating VC Buddhadeb Sau on Saturday evening, the department asked Sau to continue as VC because no alternative was visible “within this short span of time”.
The university decided to convene the meeting to discuss the prevailing situation and approach the department on a day the teachers’ association and the officers’ association of JU wrote to registrar Snehamanju Basu about their “confusion” over who has the authority to sign files.
The meeting will be attended by the deans, heads of all departments and other university officials.
The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association wrote: “Please let us know the name of the vice-chancellor who has the authority to sign the official documents from today December 28.”
The officers’ association in its letter referred to the contradictory orders: “Given the complexity of the situation, we kindly request your intervention to seek legal opinions from at least three senior advocates. Their insights, based on a thorough analysis of the orders issued by the Hon’ble Chancellor of the University, Special Commissioner to the Government of West Bengal, and the prevailing Statutes and Act of Jadavpur University, will provide much-needed clarity on the status of the Vice-Chancellor.”
“This legal counsel will empower us to make informed decisions and ensure the seamless functioning of the university...”
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose removed Sau as officiating VC on December 23 because he dared to go ahead with the annual convocation despite the chancellor’s instruction to keep it in abeyance.
Sau attended office on Wednesday and said the university’s court accepted him as VC, in line with what the higher education department has said.
Parthapratim Roy, secretary of the teachers’ association, said:“ If a person without appropriate authority occupies the chair of the VC, it will create another illegal and complex situation. The decision of the last court meeting has no mention that Prof. Sau will continue as VC. It was only about holding the convocation.”
Dean of students Rajat Ray, president of the officers’ association, told The Telegraph: “We rely on the official approval of the VC for crucial decision-making. Legally authenticating such approvals is imperative to avoid any complications that may arise for the university community at large and officers in particular.”
Sau, a professor of JU’s mathematics department, spent the time in the department but did not go to the VC’s office on Thursday.
Registrar Basu said: “We have convened a meeting about the emergent situation following a note from the pro-VC. We have also sent copies of the letters sent by the teachers’ association and the officers’ association to the higher education department and sought their suggestions. We are also seeking legal opinion from our lawyers.”