Social activist asks BHU why he was sacked in RTI plea

Ramon Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey has filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) to know the reason that led to the termination of his contract as a visiting professor at the institute.

Ramon Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey has filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) to know the reason that led to the termination of his contract as a visiting professor at the institute.

The noted social activist’s contract was terminated after he showed a banned documentary on the Nirbhaya case at the institute. He was purportedly accused of being a Maoist and of being involvement in anti-national activities.

The notice served on Pandey, on January 6 this year, was silent on the reason for his removal.

The National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), with whom Pandey is associated, alleged that key figures who have ties with the RSS primarily forced the decision, which was taken at the Board of Governors’ meeting.

On Saturday, a group of 25 students submitted an RTI application, signed by Pandey, to the institute’s public information office, on the Magsaysay award winner’s behalf.

Speaking to HT, Pandey said, “I want to know the reasons for my termination. As I had to leave Varanasi on Friday, I asked the students to file the application. I am waiting for a response.”

A student, who did not wish to be named, said, “I have come to know that only three members of the Board of Governors took the decision. Action against Pandey is wrong. He is a good professor. The IIT-BHU administration should give proof of the charges it levelled against Pandey. It should bring forth details of the meeting in which a decision was taken.”