Panel probing MSU prof’s posts gives report

Vadodara: A five-member committee constituted by MS University to inquire into social media posts of a teacher from the varsity’s faculty of education and psychology submitted its report on Saturday.
The teacher – Prof Satish Pathak – from education department had put up some posts on social media platforms allegedly targeting MSU vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Vijay Kumar Srivastava. In its report, the inquiry committee has recommended that the university officials can take action based on the code of conduct, sources said.
Prof Ashutosh Biswal, in-charge dean education and psychology faculty and the chairman of the inquiry committee, confirmed that the panel submitted its report to the university officials. He, however, said that he cannot share the details of the report which is confidential.
“The inquiry committee was constituted based on directives of the university officials. We had three deans and two senior teachers as members of the committee and we have submitted our report,” Biswal confirmed.
Sources in the committee said that Pathak had made some remarks on Srivastava being appointed as VC at MSU last year. Pathak had also allegedly shared the posts on social media platforms meant for teachers and students of the department as well as groups of senate and syndicate members.
After some initial hue and cry, Pathak had stopped publishing the posts. But two months back, he against started putting up some posts on different platforms.
The committee had conducted its first meeting on April 8 followed by another meeting on April 13 when Pathak was asked to provide a clarification. “Most of the comments made by him were objectionable in nature. We have a code of conduct prescribed in the university handbook,” said a committee member.
Ironically, it is not for the first time that questions are being raised on the appointment and conduct of Srivastava as VC of MSU. But it is for the first time that the university administration has constituted an inquiry committee against a teacher for putting up social media posts.