Ruckus at Pune University Senate meet over committees and anniversary function

Senate members levelled allegations of corruption, favouritism and ‘ruining the reputation of the University’ against members of the Management Council. They alleged that the Senate was not consulted before conferring the SPPU Jeevansadhna Gaurav award to 10 people last month at the University’s Anniversary event.

Members further alleged that some of the awards were conferred on undeserving people ‘close to the Management Council members’. Separately, Senate members also alleged that the same people were repeatedly being appointed to committees of the University and pointed out alleged irregularities in their functioning.

Sagar Vaidya, Management Council member, and Ashok Sawant, Senate member, almost came to blows during this discussion but were blocked by other members and security was brought in. Ashok Sawant had joined the other members in accusing the Management Council of wrongdoings.

Vaidya then rose to defend himself, and the incident took place a few minutes after he started speaking. The meeting was then adjourned by the chair. Further interruption came due to a protest by administrative workers of the University objecting to Senate member Sachin Ghorde Patil’s statements accusing the University administration of wrongdoings.

After the session was resumed after the protest, Vaidya, Sawant and Ghorde Patil issued apologies to the house. Vice Chancellor Suresh Gosavi also expressed regret at the events that unfolded in the house and requested members to keep the dignity of the house in mind.

University staff pointed out that such an incident had not occurred in Senate meetings at least in the previous two decades.