Manipur University: BHU prof Aadya Prasad Pandey named new Vice Chancellor

An ongoing crisis at the Manipur University has prompted the HRD Ministry to expedite the appointment of its new vice-chancellor. The President on Monday approved the selection of Aadya Prasad Pandey, a professor of Economics with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) as the institution’s new head.

A stir over reservation has delayed Manipur University’s new academic session by almost two months. Tribal students of the university have demanded that its Academic Council withdraw a resolution to provide 15 per cent reservation for SCs, 7.5 per cent for STs and 27 per cent for other backward classes this year, as opposed to the earlier practice of setting aside 31 per cent seats for STs, 2 per cent for SCs and 17 for OBCs.

The council adopted this resolution on October 8 and it was endorsed by the university on October 11, sparking widespread protests. The UGC wrote to the university administration this month, asking it to fall in line, but nothing changed. Pandey’s appointment, sources said, should help contain the agitation.