It is sad and depressing that the vice chancellor of the Anna University in Tamil Nadu has become a victim of Tamil Nadu politics. Recently, the state government ordered an inquiry about his activities. Justifiably, several teachers of the Anna University have protested against the state government move to appoint an inquiry committee to investigate “the misdeeds” of the vice chancellor, who has said that he has nothing to conceal. Given his background and track record, one would tend to agree with him.
Senior professors and teachers working in the Anna University support the vice chancellor, Dr MK Surappa, and the students have regard for him. All those associated with the Anna University in close quarters say that there has been no nepotism in administration of the university.
But some politicians in Tamil Nadu, who thrive in the name of propagating Tamil language, seem to have their own agenda.
It is widely felt that the Anna University vice chancellor has excellent credentials. He has been selected for the post by the Tamil Nadu governor (chancellor of the Anna University) on the basis of recommendation made by a duly constituted selection committee.
From day one of Dr MK Surappa assuming office as vice chancellor, some politicians in Tamil Nadu, who get large space in the print and visual media in the state, have been saying that only a Tamilian should be the vice chancellor of the Anna University. What a ridiculous argument!
There are several professors and teachers from Tamil Nadu who are working in top positions in foreign universities and outside Tamil Nadu in India. In the sphere of education, merit should be the criteria for selection and not caste or nativity. It is not as if some of the Tamil Nadu politicians, who swear against the vice chancellor, do not know this but their agenda is self-centred and they have been striving on a hate campaign for the last several decades and misleading the poor and innocent people to catch their votes.
Certainly, more than interest in education, votebank politics is their priority.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government took steps to split the Anna University into two and change the name of one of the two universities to be created. Several professors and students have protested against the move but nobody in the Tamil Nadu government cared to listen to their voice.
The justification advanced by the Tamil Nadu government to split the Anna University into two was to declare one of the universities to be declared as centre of excellence and thus get huge funds from the Central government. Vice chancellor Surappa had the courage of conviction to say that attracting funds should not be the criteria for splitting the university and such required funds to augment the facilities can be well obtained from other credible sources.
Senior professors and teachers working in the Anna University support the vice chancellor, Dr MK Surappa, and the students have regard for him. All those associated with the Anna University in close quarters say that there has been no nepotism in administration of the university.
But some politicians in Tamil Nadu, who thrive in the name of propagating Tamil language, seem to have their own agenda.
It is widely felt that the Anna University vice chancellor has excellent credentials. He has been selected for the post by the Tamil Nadu governor (chancellor of the Anna University) on the basis of recommendation made by a duly constituted selection committee.
From day one of Dr MK Surappa assuming office as vice chancellor, some politicians in Tamil Nadu, who get large space in the print and visual media in the state, have been saying that only a Tamilian should be the vice chancellor of the Anna University. What a ridiculous argument!
There are several professors and teachers from Tamil Nadu who are working in top positions in foreign universities and outside Tamil Nadu in India. In the sphere of education, merit should be the criteria for selection and not caste or nativity. It is not as if some of the Tamil Nadu politicians, who swear against the vice chancellor, do not know this but their agenda is self-centred and they have been striving on a hate campaign for the last several decades and misleading the poor and innocent people to catch their votes.
Certainly, more than interest in education, votebank politics is their priority.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government took steps to split the Anna University into two and change the name of one of the two universities to be created. Several professors and students have protested against the move but nobody in the Tamil Nadu government cared to listen to their voice.
The justification advanced by the Tamil Nadu government to split the Anna University into two was to declare one of the universities to be declared as centre of excellence and thus get huge funds from the Central government. Vice chancellor Surappa had the courage of conviction to say that attracting funds should not be the criteria for splitting the university and such required funds to augment the facilities can be well obtained from other credible sources.
From day one, some politicians, who get large space in print and visual media, have been saying that only a Tamilian should be VC
The Tamil Nadu government objected to the statement terming it as unwarranted. What is unwarranted about this? Who will speak for the Anna University if not the vice chancellor and it is his legitimate right to express his voice. Why object to this?
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| Vice chancellor Dr MK Surappa |
This is one of the main reasons why the standard of education in Tamil Nadu has considerably gone down in recent years, which is no secret. Mixing education and politics in Tamil Nadu has now become complete.
Further, one question that remains unanswered is whether the Tamil Nadu government has taken the permission of the chancellor of Anna University (the Tamil Nadu governor) before ordering an inquiry on Dr MK Surappa.
Why is the chancellor keeping quiet? Does he approve this inquiry by Tamil Nadu government? Should he not assert his authority as the chancellor of the Anna University, if he would disagree with the decision of Tamil Nadu government to order an inquiry?
Former students of the Anna University, now well spread all over the world, present and former professors and present-day students, feel disgusted and frustrated about the interference of politicians in the affairs of the university.
But, obviously, hate mongering Tamil Nadu politicians seem to have their own agenda and the voice of the teachers and students do not seem to be of concern to them.
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*Trustee, Nandini Voice for The Deprived
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