SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, June 9: The Vice-Chancellor of Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Dr Mukul Narayan Dev has expressed concern over the ‘Tilak’ fiasco at PK Roy Memorial College in Dhanbad and ordered an inquiry into the alleged incident.
An examinee of PG 3rd semester Hindi department alleged that during the internal examination at PK Roy Memorial College centre, a teacher stopped him as he had smeared ‘Tilak’ on his forehead. The teacher forced him to wipe out the tilak and only after that he was allowed to enter the hall.
The Dean of Humanity of the university caught the issue and shared a post. Other teachers of the university also joined in it and have started social media war against the alleged incident.
The VC said if the alleged incident happened at college during examination it should not have been accentuated as it is a small issue. At least senior teachers should not have posted about it on social media. Even if someone made a mistake, it should not be made an issue.
“It has been made a mountain out of a molehill. It is not a good sign for a healthy academic environment at BBMKU. At least senior teachers should have avoided sharing the post on social media,” said Dr Mukul Narayan Dev, who is also vice-chancellor of Vinoba Bhave University Hazaribagh.
The alleged incident happened on June 4. The student Rakesh Kumar Bawri posted on his Facebook alleging that a teacher stopped him from entering the examination hall as he had smeared a ‘Tilak’ on his forehead and got him wiped out.
Dr Seema Sinha, Dean of Humanity, shared the post and charged that it could have been a major issue had it happened with any student of another community. After her post, teachers of other colleges also joined her.
As the incident became an issue, the teacher Dr Mukund Ravidas admitted that he had asked the student to wash his face as the tilak on his forehead had spread in perspiring.
“I had no intention to hurt the religious sentiment of any student. Even after examination, the student met me and said nothing about it,” said Dr Ravidas.
The Vice-chancellor said that it is a calculated conspiracy to defame the university. He said the alleged incident occurred on June 4. He was in Dhanbad on June 6 to inaugurate the statue of BSK College Maithon. No one informed him about it if it was an issue. “Neither any teacher nor the student informed me while I was in Dhanbad till 7 pm on June 6,” the VC said.
“Wiping out the tilak is not a major issue. At Maithon, on June 6 people smeared me the tilak and I had to wash it as it got spread on my face,” the VC added.
He further said that he would be in Dhanbad on Saturday to sort out the matter. “I was scheduled to go to Dhanbad on Friday but due to a syndicate meeting, I had to reschedule the programme,” he said.
