Bengal Governor Removes JU Officiating VC Buddhadeb Sau on Disciplinary Grounds

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who is also the chancellor of all state-run universities, removed Jadavpur University (JU) officiating Vice Chancellor Buddhadeb Sau on disciplinary grounds on Saturday evening.

The decision was taken a night before the university was scheduled to hold its convocation on Sunday.

Bose has constituted an enquiry committee to probe several complaints received against the interim VC who is also a Mathematics professor.

“The chancellor removed Jadavpur University interim VC Buddhadeb Sau from the chair for defying orders. An enquiry committee has also been set up to probe several complaints received by his office against Sau,” a Raj Bhavan official told the news agency, PTI.

BOSE RECEIVES COMPLAINTS AGAINST VC

News18 has learnt that the Chancellor received complaints against Professor Sau who was allegedly defying Supreme Court orders.

It is alleged that students have complained to the Chancellor’s office that they were asked to spend their money for the convocation convened by the interim VC under political pressure.

Calling Sunday’s convocation “unauthorised”, the official said Bose will also sought legal opinion on whether the money can be recovered from the salary of Professor Sau and others responsible for convening the convocation.

It is also learnt that the Governor is determined to set up the universities as per law and the decisions of the apex court.

According to the Raj Bhavan official, strict legal action will be taken against former JU international relations department head Om Prakash Mishra over charges of corruption and harassment.

Mishra, who is also a former VC of North Bengal University, is currently the spokesperson of the pro-Trinamool Congress Educationists Forum

RAGGING EVENTS IN JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY

Just few months after a ragging-related death occurred in  Jadavpur University, a post- graduate student has complained to the varsity authorities about facing regular harassment.

In an email sent to the JU authorities, the first year post-graduate student of philosophy complained of facing regular harassment within the hostel premises and also claimed he is feeling very unsafe there.

Apprehending threat to his life, he has decided to leave the hostel, the e-mail read.

Back in September, a first-year student from the University died at the hostel campus because of ragging done by his seniors.

The 17-year-old took the fatal plunge from the second-floor balcony of the main hostel at JU, fellow hostel mates saw him running across the corridor in a naked manner. Jadavpur University had formed a seven-member inquiry committee on this case.

(with inputs from Kamalika Sengupta)