Allegations of exploitation of Dalit-Bahujan researchers in Wardha University, students wandering in the hope of justice for eight months

Last year, in August 2023, the then Vice Chancellor Rajneesh Shukla was accused of large-scale corruption. He was accused of rigging more than 50 teacher appointments and sexually exploiting female teachers in the name of giving jobs.

Maharashtra/Wardha. Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University located in Wardha has been in controversies for the last few years. After the controversial role of former Vice Chancellor Rajneesh Shukla, many controversies have surfaced in the university. The alleged discriminatory attitude and dictatorial decisions of the administration towards the students of Dalit and Bahujan class here have deeply hurt the image of the university. Recently, on 27 January 2024, when protesting against the illegally appointed Acting Vice Chancellor Bhimrao Metri, the university administration suspended and expelled 2 students including 3 research scholars in a dictatorial manner without hearing the students’ side.

Last year, in August 2023, the then Vice Chancellor Rajnish Shukla was accused of massive corruption. He was accused of rigging more than 50 teacher appointments and sexually exploiting female teachers in the name of giving them jobs. Along with this, reports of his extra marital affair also surfaced, which made the atmosphere of the university turbulent. Under the pressure of growing student agitation and protests due to these allegations, Vice Chancellor Shukla resigned on 14 August 2023.

After Shukla’s resignation, the university appointed Professor Laila Karunyakara as the Acting Vice Chancellor under the University Act. Professor Karunyakara faced severe criticism from the feudal teachers of the university and central government officials due to his Dalit and Ambedkarite ideology. As a result, Professor Karunyakara was removed from the post on 20 October 2023 with the intervention of the Union Ministry of Education and Dr. Bhimrai Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur (Maharashtra) was appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor. This appointment was a clear violation of the University Act-1996.

Legal battle against illegal appointment

Professor Karunyakara filed a petition in the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court against this illegal appointment. During the hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General of the Central Government admitted that the appointment of Bhimrai Metri was not in accordance with the rules and it would be recommended to be withdrawn. This situation prompted the students of the university to protest against the current Acting Vice Chancellor. The students said that the flag hoisting by the illegally appointed Vice Chancellor was not only a violation of the University Act but also an insult to the national flag. Ultimately, hearing the petition and giving the verdict, the Hon’ble Judge declared the appointment of the Vice Chancellor illegal.

Republic Day Controversy: Arrest and Expulsion of Students

On 26 January 2024, during the Republic Day celebrations, students protested against the flag hoisting of Vice Chancellor Metri. Rajesh Kumar Yadav and Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Ambedkar showed black clothes with “ILLEGAL VC GO BACK” written on them during the ceremony. This protest showed the courage of the students and their determination against administrative injustice. The administration immediately took action and called the police, who arrested both the students. However, they were released after the program was over.

On January 27, 2024, the university administration expelled and suspended five students without any formal hearing. Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Dr. Rajnish Ambedkar, and Niranjan Kumar were expelled for disrupting the Republic Day celebrations and insulting the Vice Chancellor. Ramchandra and Vivek Mishra were suspended on false charges of tarnishing the image of the university through social media.

Dharvesh Katheria, former Registrar/Proctor accused of corruption

Students’ situation and legal struggle

Research scholars Niranjan Kumar and Vivek have filed a petition in the High Court against illegal expulsion. While hearing the petition, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court reprimanded the administration regarding the suspension and expulsion of the students and ordered that the Vice Chancellor of the University was violating the principles of natural justice. Despite this, only the expulsion of Vivek Mishra and Niranjan Kumar was withdrawn, while the other 03 expelled students are still struggling in the hope of justice.

The students complained several times in the last 08 months to the Executive Vice Chancellor K.K. Singh and Executive Registrar Anand Patil through email and WhatsApp against the illegal suspension and expulsion, but the university administration has not taken any action on these complaints. The students have also lodged their complaints in various related institutions, but so far in these 8 months no concrete steps have been taken to withdraw the expulsion.

Former Executive Registrar Dharvesh Katheria, who has been accused of financial irregularities and other serious allegations, has been removed from his post. Despite this, no concrete action has been taken against them and no inquiry committee has been formed. These incidents highlight the administrative negligence and mismanagement of the university, which is a clear indication of indifference towards the rights of students and employees.

Administrative negligence and mismanagement

Contempt of court and administrative irregularities in the cases of expulsion and suspension of students have raised serious questions on the functioning of the university. Former Executive Registrar-Dean Dharvesh Katheria, who is accused of financial irregularities, harassment of students and employees, was removed from the post of Registrar. But, as per the order, no inquiry committee has been formed yet and no concrete action has been taken against Katheria.

Dharvesh Katheria was earlier also accused of tarnishing the image of the university and being involved in anti-university activities during the tenure of Vice Chancellor Rajneesh Shukla, due to which he was also suspended. Despite this, the illegally appointed Vice Chancellor Bhimrao Metri handed over the charge of Registrar-Proctor to Katheria without any investigation or conclusion. This chaos has raised further questions on the functioning of the administration and shows that there is a serious lack of transparency and accountability within the university.

Students’ demands and future direction

In their demands, the students have demanded a fair and transparent investigation from the university administration. They say that strict action should be taken against the guilty officials and their illegal expulsion should be withdrawn with immediate effect. Apart from this, the students have demanded from the university administration that in future before any such dictatorial decision, the voice of the students should be heard and all the procedures should be done as per the rules.

Courtesy : Hindi News