Manipur University impasse: Vice Chancellor breaks silence, says he will not resign

Responding to allegations on his long absence from the university, he clarified that all his trips were for official duties or to pursue the interest of the university in New Delhi at the University Grants Commission and relevant ministries. He said sometimes he had to wait for appointments to come through and has had to delay his return to Imphal.

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He maintained that the students’ protest started after he denied MUSU’s request for providing funds for magazine publication. “I referred the matter to the purchasing committed as there have been many cases pending in the university in connection with financial irregularities”, he said.

The Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU), who is spearheading the protest demanding the removal of the VC, alleged that the VC takes leaves for a long time and never mentions his return date. It was alleged that Panday is incompetent for being unable to appoint a key post of the varsity. MUSU’s protest, which began on May 30, has paralysed the varsity with protestors locking down the administrative block. All semester examinations have also been postponed indefinitely.

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While six deans have put in their resignations in connection with the protest, the teachers union has also joined the protest. The VC alleged that the deans were resigning following pressure from the agitating students. “It is unfortunate that some people fail to comprehend the selfless contribution because of their narrow views on what I have done so far for the development of the university during my short tenure of one and half years. Nothing can be achieved overnight”, he said.

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