People's Democracy

THE Students Federation of India (SFI) has demanded immediate removal of Dr Y C Simhadri, the present vice chancellor of Benaras Hindu University (BHU), who is responsible for the serious state of affairs prevailing in the prestigious institution. What is extremely unfortunate is that the university is facing a virtual breakdown of all norms and processes of university functioning. With the numerous instances of gross violation of university decision-making rules, corruption and total disregard for the norms and procedures, BHU has become a glaring example of authoritarianism, corruption and anarchy. This state is the outcome of a sustained denial of democratic practices and transparency in BHU by the vice chancellor.

The CID of Uttar Pradesh has filed a chargesheet against Professor Onkar Singh who was the chief proctorial officer of BHU, under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The case relates to the murder of a student of BA 2nd year (English), Manoranjan Singh, on February 20, 1997. Professor Singh was chargesheeted in many other criminal cases, including an attempt-to-murder case. Instead of initiating action against the accused, the VC appointed him chairman or member of several committees and extended an arm of protection to his illegal and criminal activities. Many proctorial staff members who were chargesheeted by the police for the murder case of Sarvender Mishra, another student of BHU, are still protected by the VC. Due to this attitude of Dr Simhadri, the university has become a shelter for all kinds of criminal elements. As a result, many criminal incidents have been taking place in the campus. Recently, an engineer was killed in a bomb blast, the son of a security man was shot dead, a PCO owner was shot at, and two medical students were kidnapped. An atmosphere of terror prevails in the campus, which is in the grip of a nexus of criminal elements, vested interests among the proctorial staff, faculty members and politicians.

A serious incident of sexual harassment of a girl student by the dean of Education Faculty, Professor Harikesh Singh, is another example of the deteriorating situation in the BHU. Instead of taking cognisance of the incident, Dr Simhadri tried to suppress it. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was forced to intervene in the matter and directed the inspector general of police, Varanasi, to take action in the matter. Professor Harikesh Singh was then arrested and sent to jail. But no action has been taken against him by the vice chancellor to date.

Around two years back, in a meeting of the finance committee, Dr Simhadri tried to enhance the budget allocation for the university’s proctorial board from Rs one crore to Rs three crore. The proposal was strongly opposed by Professor Balbeer Singh Katt, an internationally renowned sculptor, dean of the Faculty of Visual Arts in BHU and a member of the finance committee. Soon after this, Professor Katt mysteriously disappeared. The vice chancellor did not even take the trouble of complaining to the police or take any other step to find out what happened to Professor Katt. After the intervention of the Allahabad High Court, the CBI is investigating the case now. The fear is that Professor Katt's life had been endangered at the instance of the VC.

Dr Simhadri has banned the celebration of Sant Ravidas birth anniversary, an important festival in the university, which was celebrated as a symbol of brotherhood. Three students, including the president of the scheduled caste/scheduled tribe students union P S Ratan Kumar, were expelled from the university for their active participation in the celebration of the saint’s birth anniversary.

On the occasion of Valentine Day this year, the heads of many students were publicly shaved and their watches and other valuables snatched. They were severely beaten up by the activists of the ABVP and Bajrang Dal in the presence of the proctorial staff. The news was published in the local media. Dr Simhadri took no action against the culprits despite the written complaints lodged by the victims.

Dr Simhadri has banned the students union, teachers association, non-teachers association and the officers association. Student union elections have not been conducted in the last four years. Around 150 students, including office bearers of various student organisations including SFI, many medical and engineering students including gold medallists were expelled by Dr Simhadri. The democratic atmosphere in the campus has been consciously destroyed and no student or teacher organisations are allowed to function. Total authoritarianism prevails in the campus.

During his tenure as vice chancellor, Dr Simhadri has developed the habit of misusing his emergency powers. He is accused of illegal appointments. Several cases of contempt of court are pending against him. He has put an undeclared ban on registration of research students and almost finished the research atmosphere in the university. He has no respect for executive council and academic council of the university.

In his eagerness to exhibit his loyalty towards the communal ideology of RSS, Dr Simhadri conferred a doctorate of science degree on the union HRD minister, M M Joshi, known for his active role in demolishing the Babri Masjid and in the drive to construct a Ram Temple in its place.

The VC has prevented the promotion of around 400 teachers and has imposed an unofficial ban on teachers’ participation in international seminars and symposia. The teachers resorted to an indefinite dharna to press for their long pending demands, due to which the academic session and classes have been greatly affected in the campus.

In sum, Dr Simhadri has no moral right to continue as the VC of BHU. Hence the SFI demands for his removal from the post of VC and a proper inquiry under BHU Act to look into the misdeeds he has committed as VC. The SFI has also demanded restoration of democratic atmosphere in the university by holding proper elections to the executive council, academic council and students union.

The SFI has also demands immediate intervention of the honourable president of India, in his capacity as the visitor of the university, in the matter. A memorandum has been submitted, demanding the removal of the vice-chancellor.

The SFI made these demands at a press conference held at New Delhi on August 29, addressed by Samik Lahiri, SFI general secretary and a member of Lok Sabha. Also present at the press conference were SFI joint secretary K K Ragesh, former BHUSU vice president Arvind Shukla, and former JNUSU president Viju Krishnan. (INN)