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Journalism of Courage
A member of Board of Governors of IIT-Delhi has come out in support of R K Shevgaonkar, who stepped down as the director of the prestigious institute, saying he was a “careful and cautious person” who won’t take any decision without going through proper channels.
The academician decided to resign after the HRD Ministry is said to have sought an explanation from him on an MoU between Mauritius Research Council (MRC) of Republic of Mauritius and IIT-Delhi for setting up an International Institute of Technology Research Academy (IITRA) in that country.
“Prof Shevgaonkar was my colleague and deputy director at IIT Bombay, when I was the institute’s director. He is a very careful and cautious person and is not someone who will take a decision without going through proper channels or taking appropriate permissions.
Hence, I don’t believe that he had any malafide intentions with regards to the IITRA. I am surprised with what is being written (in the media),” said Dr Ashok Misra, former IIT-Bombay director and member, Board of Governors, IIT-Delhi.
Another theory being floated in connection with Prof Shevgaonkar resignation said he had quit owing to pressure on him to release salary dues of former IIT-Delhi faculty and now BJP functionary Subramanian Swamy for the period 1972 to 1991.
Several faculty members at IIT-Bombay said that he is an “upright person” and held in “high regard” at the institute. Emails were also exchanged between many IIT-Bombay faculty members Sunday. “We are shocked. Though we are not aware of the facts yet, the sense at the institute is to rally around him. Emails were exchanged and faculty members said that if indeed Shevgaonkar faced undue pressure (to quit), we should show solidarity. There’s not a shred of doubt about his integrity,” said a faculty member.
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