Finally, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Dr S P Kane invited media persons and allowed to attend the Senate meeting, on Wednesday. The permission was granted when the Senate members opposed the move and debated it for over three hours in the meeting. The members threatened not to allow discussion on any other issue on the agenda, unless the media persons are allowed to enter the venue. Later, they came out of the Convocation Hall around 2 pm. Within a few minutes, a message from Dr Kane came and media persons were allowed to enter and observe proceedings of the meeting. Earlier, security guards prevented media persons from entering the premises.

 

 

 

They were required to wait for the decision of the V-C as the members had informed that the issue is being discussed in the meeting. Despite heated debate, it took more than three hours to make the final decision. Almost all the members were of the opinion that media persons be allowed to attend the meeting. They welcomed media persons by thumping benches, when the final decision was taken. Dr Kane stated that the decision not to invite media persons for the meeting was taken in the Management Council meeting. However, Management Council members denied of any such decision taken by them. On arrival of media persons in the meeting hall, Dr Kane stated that he has changed the decision on behalf of the Management Council and allowed media, using powers vested in him under Section 12(7) of the Maharashtra Universities Act, 2016. For the first time in the history of Nagpur University, such an event has occurred, when the media was not allowed to enter the premises.

 

 

 ABVP members’ Gandhigiri

 

 

Before commencement of the meeting Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members offered roses to the Senate members at the entrance. They requested the members to pray for granting good virtue to RTMNU Vice-Chancellor Dr S P Kane. Amidst tight security in the University, except the Senate members and employees, none was allowed to enter the premises. The University authorities even contacted Sitabuldi Police and stated that more than five persons cannot come together at a public place (Section 144 of CrPC), in view of Code of Conduct as Lok Sabha elections have been announced. The University authorities, thus, demonstrated their ignorance about the law. The move apparently was made to prevent ABVP workers to stage a demonstration at the University gate. ABVP workers, however, used ‘Gandhigiri’ and offered flowers to Senate members.

 

 

 

 

 

Staff Reporter The issue of agitation by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on February 8, which turned violent consumed most of the time during the Question Hour of Senate meeting of RTM Nagpur University on Wednesday. The discussion remained incomplete and will be taken up on Thursday, when the Senate re-assembles. Dr Keshav Mendhe raised the question and sought reply, whether complaint with the police was lodged. Vishnu Changde objected the word ‘attack’ on University office by ABVP members, damage caused to the University property and manhandled security personnel. He argued that if it was ‘attack’, the V-C Dr S P Kane should have reported the matter immediately to the police and demanded arrest of the persons involved. The workers had sought Dr Kane’s appointment for submission of memorandum of demands.

 

 

 

 

When they came to know that the V-C is in the office and they were being informed that he is not present, their agitation turned violent. Changde said that the question with such term used against students, should not have been accepted. He also sought reasons for delay in lodging complaint with the police, when everything was sorted out in the meeting in the V-C’s chamber. That too the complaint was made through the security agency. Dr Kane stated that he had directed the security officer to lodge the complaint. Some members also alleged that the complaint was lodged after two days, under pressure. Dr Mendhe, Pravin Udapure, Adv Manmohan Vajpayi and others participated in the discussion. Dr Kane’s explaination remained incomplete, as supplementaries were being raised continuously. The discussion will continue on Thursday.