SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Jan 31: Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Hazaribagh has become a divided house over a police complaint lodged by the principal of St. Columba College Sushil Kumar Toppo against the vice-chancellor (VC) Mukul Narayan Dev.
While some principals of colleges and teachers of the university have opposed Principal Toppo for lodging the complaint, others have jumped in his (principal’s) favour demanding fair probe of the allegation.
“Such a thing had never happened in the history of VBU and it has tarnished the image of the institution,” said a principal.
St. Columba College principal had filed a complaint in the police station on Saturday alleging that the VC had misbehaved and insulted him by using castetist slurs in his chamber when he had gone to meet him.
A senior police official said that since the case is related to caste (SC/ ST), the FIR would be lodged only after supervision of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) level officer.
A senior professor of the university said that the main reasons for the dispute are probe against the principal and seizure of his financial power and denial of senate membership.
“He (VC) has been torturing me for last one and half years since he has assumed the office by setting up inquiry. I deserve the seat of senate member from the principal’s quota and that has been denied. When he publicly insulted me, I was compelled to file a complaint in the police station,” said principal Toppo.
However, VC Mukul Narayan Dev denied the allegation and said that he has informed the superintendent of police (SP) and other senior officials about the alleged allegation. The university would set up a disciplinary committee to probe his allegation and on the basis of the report, suitable action will be taken against principal Toppo.
“I have come from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and have no record of insulting any person. I just asked him to leave the office as I had lots of pending work. He came with two leaders as witnesses. But everything is recorded in the CCTV and microphone installed in my chamber,” said Mukul Narayan Dev.
The VC said that the financial power of the principal was seized by his predecessor after he was found operating an illegal account without informing the university. Moreover, the inquiry committee was set up by his predecessor. So, he has nothing to do with it.
“On the other hand, as far as the issue of members of the senate is concerned, he is an assistant professor. As per rule, only an associate professor can be nominated,” the VC added.
