Gauhati varsity V-C resigns, blames Govt

“Classrooms, hostels, library buildings and laboratories are all in a deplorable state. Boarders cannot live in dignity in the hostels. Rainwater seeps through the roof of the main library. The water supplied by the Government stinks. I have no right to remain a V-C when I cannot provide the minimum facilities,” Choudhury, justifying his resignation, said.

While the student community immediately reacted by protesting against the Government and pressed the V-C not to quit, it was Bora who added fuel to fire by coming out with a statement, terming the V-C an escapist.

Students under the banner of the Gauhati University PGSU and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) went on to burn the effigy of the Education Minister. The AASU also demanded the minister’s unconditional apology to the V-C for his “derogatory and defamatory” remarks.

Meanwhile, Governor Ajai Singh, who is also Chancellor of Gauhati University, on Friday rejected Choudhury’s resignation, but not before calling an emergent meeting of the Executive Council of the University to discuss the crisis.

A Raj Bhavan press note said the Governor called an emergent meeting of the University EC on Monday. Bora, Chief Secretary P C Sarma and the state Finance Secretary had been also asked to attend the meeting as special invitees.

The meeting would discuss, among other things, “major areas of concern” including finalising translation of the vision document prepared by the Vice-Chancellor in a time-bound manner.