Alumni body issues white paper against St. Stephen’s Valson Thampu

An unrecognised alumni body of the St. Stephen’s College on Monday released a white paper on maladministration in the college.

An unrecognised alumni body of the St. Stephen’s College on Monday released a white paper on maladministration in the college.

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The Association of Old Stephenians sought an intervention by the central government, ministry of human resource development and demanded an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

The white papers says that principal Valson Thampu has a PhD in Theology, a subject not recognized by the UGC.

“What is more interesting in this case is that supreme council of the college had also written to Delhi University asking for clarifications in respect of Thampu’s qualifications. So the supreme council in Dr. Frank’s case against Thampu had filed an affidavit and said there were doubts over his qualification,” said Asish Joshi, media-coordinator of the association at a press conference.

The association also blamed the DU vice-chancellor for not taking action against the principal despite several representations.

“In the last six years the principal has been involved in 31 litigations. This was not something that I have looked forward to or take pride in as a lawyer, to be involved in so much litigation involving your alma mater,” said Sunil Matthew, a member of the association.

The white paper says that government grants have been inappropriately used and 347 laptops to be distributed to students are lying in the college store room.

“Questionable admissions are also many, like the son of a former registrar was admitted under international sports quota without any trial and admission also given to former Bishop’s son,” said Matthew.

Thampu told PTI that the college’s supreme council has passed a resolution that alumni has no right to interfere in the administration and internal life of the College. “Members of the supreme council expressed their disappointment at the false propaganda against the college involving certain alumni. The council also noted with concern that the Christian character of the greatly reputed minority institution has been, and is being, attacked in order to degrade it,” said Thampu.