SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 25: Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Mukul Narayan Dev has set up a high-level three-member committee to probe the missing name and photo of late Binod Bihari Mahto in the 5th foundation day function of the university.
The university has been set up in the name of a former MP and one of the founders of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Binod Bihari Mahto.
As per the notification, Dr. Shailendra Sinha (Dean, Faculty of Science), Dr Pushpa Rani (Dean, faculty of social science) and Dr JN Singh (Dean, education) are members of the committee.
A senior authority of the university said that the VC has directed the committee to probe the minutes of the function and submit a report in two days.
Dr Mukul Narayan Dev is the VC of Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh and has been given the additional charge of BBMKU Dhanbad.
The BBMKU foundation day function, which was held at SSLNT Women’s College on Wednesday (March 23), snowballed into controversy when the organizers did not pay homage to Binod Bihari Mahto on whose name the university is named.
Even his name and photo were found missing on the dais. Teachers and political organizations including the Professional Congress Association protested on the spot and a commotion prevailed in the function where three previous vice-chancellors of the university were present.
BBMKU Teachers Association (BBMKUTA) has condemned the alleged insult of Late Binod Bihari Mahto and highly appreciated the probe order of VC Dr Mukul Narayan Dev.
BBMKUTA general secretary Prof Himanshu Shekhar Choudhary said that the teachers’ body of the university is aghast over the insult of Binod Bihari Mahto and hope a fair probe would be done by the committee.
At the same time, he also warned that teachers would launch an agitation if any attempt is made to hush up the matter.
“It is not only an insult to Binod Babu but also dishonour of the entire Jharkhand. It is a shame that the university authorities paid homage to Lata Mangeshkar, Bappi Lahari and others but forgot to recall the name of Binod Babu,” said Prof Choudhary.
He further said that the university authorities not only ignored Binod Babu but also overlooked Sindri MLA Indrajit Mahto whose name was not mentioned on the signboard of the new building of the university during the inauguration at Bhelatand which falls in the Sindri assembly constituency.
“It seems as if people with an anti-Jharkhand mentality have assembled in the university syndicate. The teachers’ body urges the VC to take stern action against such people,” he said.
