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AU V-C leads peace march
UPSET AND unhappy with the recent developments on the varsity campus, Allahabad University (AU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajen Harshe took out a 'peace march' on Tuesday to garner support for his efforts to properly run the varsity. Backed by a large number of students, teachers and employees, the VC before the start of the march poured out his 'pain' in front of all and for the first time also shared the problems being faced by him in running the university .
‘Vested interests creating trouble on the campus’
UPSET AND unhappy with the recent developments on the varsity campus, Allahabad University (AU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajen Harshe took out a 'peace march' on Tuesday to garner support for his efforts to properly run the varsity.
Backed by a large number of students, teachers and employees, the VC before the start of the march poured out his 'pain' in front of all and for the first time also shared the problems being faced by him in running the university smoothly following repeated agitations by student leaders and their present one-point demand of re-conducting the Post-Graduate Admission Test (PGAT).
The march followed Monday's misbehaviour by a group of student leaders with some of the experts selected by the varsity for the shortlisting of architects for various construction projects.
The group of students had forced their way into the meeting room at a time when VC was not on the campus, something that greatly upset Prof Harshe.
Addressing the vast gathering near his office, the strength of which took even the seasoned student leaders and the office-bearers of the Allahabad University Students' Union (AUSU) by surprise, Prof Harshe came down hard on the 'rowdy elements' disrupting the routine functioning of the varsity.
"Right since taking over as the VC about seven months back, I am seeing agitations and demonstrations over one issue or the other by people who seem least interested in studies and research. Students come to the varsity for studies and I want to create an environment that nurtures it. However, I am not being allowed to do my work by some vested interests who just seem bent upon creating trouble on the campus," Prof Harshe said.
The VC said that he could be physically assaulted but not to be browbeaten by rowdy elements who were out to disrupt peace on the campus.
Amidst anti-student leaders' slogans, Prof Harshe pointed out that the so-called student representatives hardly ever bring up issues and topics related to studies and research but seem more interested in other things.
He called upon all students, employees and teachers to join hands with him in the mission to not only regain the varsity's lost glory but also take AU to new heights. Prof Harshe along with senior AU officials, large number of students and employees along with cops then marched on foot towards the Gandhi Bhawan.Again addressing students, the VC pointed out that neither the police nor the student leaders have presented any concrete evidence of paper leak of admissions test question papers that may warrant cancellation of the entire PGAT.
"I want peace on the campus so that students can learn, teachers can teach and perform research and the university is run properly. I would like to appeal to one and all to help me in achieving this goal," he added.
