Indira Kala Sangeet University in Khairagarh is once again embroiled in controversy following the appointment of Prof. Lovely Sharma as its new Vice Chancellor. The appointment order was issued by Raj Bhavan on April 9. However, within 48 hours, protests have erupted on the university campus, with slogans of “Lovely Sharma Go Back” echoing, primarily led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The ABVP is demanding the immediate cancellation of Prof. Sharma’s appointment and has warned of a “Chhattisgarh Bandh” (state-wide shutdown) if their demand is not met.

 

The student organization alleges that during Professor Sharma’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Gwalior University, serious issues such as corruption, favoritism towards relatives, and the controversial removal of the Bharat Mata picture from the university campus came to light, leading to her removal from that position. The ABVP asserts that such an appointment is unacceptable in Khairagarh. This is not the first instance of Khairagarh University being at the center of controversy. During the previous Congress government, the appointment of Padmashree Mamta Chandrakar as Vice Chancellor also faced continuous opposition throughout her term. Following a change in government, she was removed from her post on June 21, 2024, and Divisional Commissioner Satyanarayan Rathore was appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor.

 

The university has been functioning without a permanent Vice Chancellor for an extended period since then. This latest incident has raised questions about the coordination between the ruling BJP and the RSS. The ABVP, the student wing of the RSS, is now openly opposing the appointment of a Vice Chancellor seemingly supported by the BJP government. Experts suggest this indicates a potential rift in the alignment between the BJP organization and the RSS in Chhattisgarh. While Professor Lovely Sharma has yet to assume her duties in Khairagarh, the intensity of the protests has reportedly caused panic within the administration. The central question remains whether the government will disregard the ABVP’s warning or reconsider the appointment under pressure. The current atmosphere in Khairagarh is dominated by these voices of protest, with no immediate resolution in sight.