Mumbai University calls off training session by RSS-affiliated body after opposition
The students' organisations have sought vice-chancellor Suhas Pednekar's resignation for allowing such a body, with no expertise in education laws and administrative work to conduct the camp.
Representational Image MUMBAI: A two-day residential workshop organised by Mumbai University in collaboration with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini - an RSS-affiliated think-tank - was abruptly called off midway on Saturday, after Yuva Sena members from the senate and NSUI (congress' student body) strongly opposed the move. The students' organisations have sought vice-chancellor Suhas Pednekar's resignation for allowing such a body, with no expertise in education laws and administrative work to conduct the camp.
The residential camp was organised at RMP's campus in Uttan village in Bhayander for 30 university officers who are at assistant registrar or equivalent level. After the first session on Saturday - at around 11.30 am - the university officials were told that the rest of the programme was called off due to technical reasons and they were asked to go home. "There was opposition from senate members, but we do not know why it was cancelled midway," said an officer attending the session.
Congress leader Rajeev Satav brought the matter to the notice of higher and technical education minister Uday Samant. Satav also tweeted against the misuse of public funds to benefit RSS-affiliated body in the name of training, said a statement released by Congress' student wing, NSUI. While Samant did not release any statement officially, a letter was sent to his office by university authorities informing him about the cancellation of the programme.
NSUI demanded an inquiry into the matter as well as Pednekar's resignation. "It is true that RSS-affiliated organisations and its members have been illegally appointed in various universities during the BJP government. NSUI even opposed the illegal appointment of director Yogesh Soman in one of the university's academies. The organisation will keep fighting against the saffronisation of the university," said NSUI national secretary Nikhil Kamble.
Pradeep Sawant, senate member from Yuva sena, also opposed the move and questioned how the organisation is qualified to train university officials in administrative work. "We have an auditorium in Kalina, there was no need to spend money and take the officers to Uttan. Also, there was no logic in training our officers under a politically-affiliated body," said Sawant, adding that they have also demanded the VC's resignation.
A university official said that the decision to train officers at RMP was taken earlier. "After adjusting their schedule and availability the dates were finalised. It was, however, called off due to technical reasons," said the official, without specifying why the organisation was selected for the training camp.
The workshop was expected to train and guide the university officials in administrative work. It was expected to train officers in writing skills, in official communication, university laws and regulations, RTIs, preparing answers for assembly Q&A session, decision making and leadership skills, manpower management, etc.
The residential camp was organised at RMP's campus in Uttan village in Bhayander for 30 university officers who are at assistant registrar or equivalent level. After the first session on Saturday - at around 11.30 am - the university officials were told that the rest of the programme was called off due to technical reasons and they were asked to go home. "There was opposition from senate members, but we do not know why it was cancelled midway," said an officer attending the session.
Congress leader Rajeev Satav brought the matter to the notice of higher and technical education minister Uday Samant. Satav also tweeted against the misuse of public funds to benefit RSS-affiliated body in the name of training, said a statement released by Congress' student wing, NSUI. While Samant did not release any statement officially, a letter was sent to his office by university authorities informing him about the cancellation of the programme.
NSUI demanded an inquiry into the matter as well as Pednekar's resignation. "It is true that RSS-affiliated organisations and its members have been illegally appointed in various universities during the BJP government. NSUI even opposed the illegal appointment of director Yogesh Soman in one of the university's academies. The organisation will keep fighting against the saffronisation of the university," said NSUI national secretary Nikhil Kamble.
Pradeep Sawant, senate member from Yuva sena, also opposed the move and questioned how the organisation is qualified to train university officials in administrative work. "We have an auditorium in Kalina, there was no need to spend money and take the officers to Uttan. Also, there was no logic in training our officers under a politically-affiliated body," said Sawant, adding that they have also demanded the VC's resignation.
A university official said that the decision to train officers at RMP was taken earlier. "After adjusting their schedule and availability the dates were finalised. It was, however, called off due to technical reasons," said the official, without specifying why the organisation was selected for the training camp.
The workshop was expected to train and guide the university officials in administrative work. It was expected to train officers in writing skills, in official communication, university laws and regulations, RTIs, preparing answers for assembly Q&A session, decision making and leadership skills, manpower management, etc.
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