New Delhi: JNU students will hold a
referendum in the campus on April 20 on proposed reappointment
of Prof B B Bhattacharya as its Vice Chancellor, even as the
move has been put on hold by the University Executive Council.
Various students` organisations will conduct the
referendum to know the opinion of students on reappointment of
the present Vice Chancellor for a second term.
The students` bodies except Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi
Parishad and Youth For Equality have consented to be part of
the first-of-its-kind exercise in JNU.
"We want to send a message that we do not want a second
term for Prof Bhattacharya. He has been busy curbing students`
movement and encouraging commercialisation in the campus,"
Sandeep Singh, former JNUSU president, alleged.
This is the first students` referendum in any university
in India, he said.
The JNU constitution does not allow second term for an
incumbent VC. Bhattacharya`s first tenure ends in June this
year. There is a move to amend the statute of the varsity to
have the provision for reappointment of a Vice Chancellor for
the second term.
The Executive Council of the varsity discussed the
matter on April six but could not reach a consensus. It will
be again taken up by the EC towards the end of this month.
The HRD Ministry had issued a circular asking the
Jawaharlal Nehru University to amend its statute to facilitate
reappointment of a Vice Chancellor. The move has drawn flak
from the teachers` association and the students as well.
Vineet Chaturvedi, General Secretary of JNU ABVP, said
it is a tactics by Leftists to divert the issue of Naxalism in
the campus.
"Even we are against the second term for the VC who has
encouraged Naxal elements in the campus. But we will take a
final call after a meeting of our cadre," he said.
Youth For Equality will also take a decision on the issue
after their core committee meeting.
"We generally do not target any individual. Most probably
we will abstain from the referendum," said Amit Ranjan, member
of YFE core committee.
JNUTA president Prof B C Tripathy said the VC has
conveyed him his reluctance to seek a second term. But the
teachers` association is sceptical about the change of mind of
the Vice Chancellor.
"I am not sure what he will do on April 27 when the EC
meets," Tripathy said.
PTI
