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V-C?s missive sparks violence
STUDENT LEADERS, teachers and other Lucknow University (LU) employees went on a rampage at the varsity on Friday bringing all work to a standstill after they came to know about the contents of a letter sent by the Vice-Chancellor to the Government. The protestors pelted the Vice-Chancellor?s residence with stones, staged a demonstration and blocked traffic for well over two hours on the University Road. The V-C had, allegedly, listed several employees, teachers and students as troublemakers in the letter. The protestors were demanding the V-C?s resignation.
STUDENT LEADERS, teachers and other Lucknow University (LU) employees went on a rampage at the varsity on Friday bringing all work to a standstill after they came to know about the contents of a letter sent by the Vice-Chancellor to the Government. The protestors pelted the Vice-Chancellor’s residence with stones, staged a demonstration and blocked traffic for well over two hours on the University Road.
The V-C had, allegedly, listed several employees, teachers and students as troublemakers in the letter. The protestors were demanding the V-C’s resignation. Ironcially, though the teachers area angry about the letter, office-bearers of the LU Teachers’ Association (LUTA) are divided on the issue. The LUTA office-bearers had a heated argument in full public view on the campus.
Agitated student leaders and employees demanded the Vice-Chancellor RP Singh give a clarification about the content of the letter. After heated arguments, Pro V-C RS Yadav gave in writing that the V-C did wrote a letter to apprise the Government about the incident that took place on the campus during the LU Convocation on February 6. But, Yadav added, the V-C had not abused anyone.
However, this failed to satisfy the employees and students who insisted that the V-C show them a copy of the letter.
When the varsity administration refused to oblige by terming the letter ‘confidential’, employees and students went berserk. When the chaos did not stir the varsity administration, the protestors marched in procession towards Raj Bhawan.
The protestors were stopped at the Hazratganj crossing upon which they again blocked the traffic. Finally, the district administration allowed a small delegation of teachers and employees to visit Raj Bhawan.
In their memorandum, the students and employees demanded removal of the V-C for using foul words, an inquiry into appointments effected by the V-C. They also said the varsity had wasted funds by putting up an iron grill around the campus building. The protestors said expenditure cleared by the V-C for the beautification of the LU campus should be probed.
Though, the varsity employees’ union has called for a closure of the campus on Saturday, the varsity administration has, on its part, already issued an order that campus will remain close on Saturday. But the practical examinations will take place as per schedule. The order further reads that preparation leave will commence on February 20 but in those departments where the course has not been completed, teaching work will continue. The employees’ union has alleged, “The V-C hardly works from his office and mostly functions from his camp office (residence) which is creating more problems.” The employees’ union also pleaded to Raj Bhawan to institute an independent inquiry into the allegations levelled by them against the V-C RP Singh.
