The All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) on Monday wrote a two-page letter to Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar demanding a high-level inquiry into the attack on an assistant professor of Mahatma Gandhi Central University of Bihar and “forged” documents submitted by the university’s vice-chancellor.
“On behalf of AIFUCTO we express our concern over the brutal attack on the assistant professor of the Mahatma Gandhi Central University at Motihari, Sanjay Kumar, and also over corruption and tyranny of the Vice-Chancellor Prof [Dr.] Arvind Agrawal who has been made V-C on the basis of false and fabricated statements and testimonials in his application for the post,” said AIFUCTO letter, a copy of which is with The Hindu.
‘False information’
In the letter undersigned by AIFUCTO general secretary, Prof. Arun Kumar, and president, Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya, the organisation has alleged that the V-C , Arvind Agrawal, has furnished “false information that he has been awarded PhD from Heidelberg University, Germany, in 1989, whereas he has been awarded the degree by the University of Rajasthan under the supervision of Professor N.K. Sanghi in 1992”. “Such a corrupt V-C... can only spread corruption,” said the letter.
A large section of the university teachers have been protesting against the “fascists and dictatorial attitude” of the V-C since May 29. On August 17, Prof. Kumar, who had also been protesting against Prof. Agrawal, was dragged out of his third-floor flat by a mob and beaten up for making a comment on social media on the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The attackers allegedly also tried to set Prof. Kumar on fire after pouring petrol on him.
“The attackers were, in fact, goons sent by the V-C to teach us all protesting teachers a lesson… The social media post was just an excuse for the attack,” said Mritunjay Kumar Yadavendu, a colleague of Prof. Kumar.
Prof. shifted to AIIMS
The injured professor was first admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital but later on Monday he was shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi as he complained of some eyesight problem.
The police said two persons have been arrested for the attack so far. Earlier, Prof. Kumar had lodged a case against 12 persons for attacking him at the town police station in Motihari in East Champaran district.
“Ever since we have exposed his misdeeds in running the affairs of the university and set-off our protest on May 29, the V-C has turned hostile and is looking for an opportunity to target us and the attack on our colleague Sanjay Kumar was the fallout of his reaction,” charged another Assistant Professor, Sashikant Ray. “We request you to take these issues on serious note at your end and set-up a high-level enquiry against the V-C and during the enquiry he should be kept under suspension,” requested the AIFUCTO letter.
State BJP leader and Tourism Minister Pramod Kumar alleged that Professor Kumar was a part of the “divisive forces” as his comment on Vajpayee on social media was not acceptable. The Opposition party leaders and students’ organisations have extended their support to Professor Kumar, while demanding removal of the Vice-Chancellor.