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| Significant Development: Lawyers also demand local VC for CU | | | RUSTAM
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 18: 4. "The agitating student community, ably backed by the civil society, fought relentlessly… in 1960s and 1998 and forced the authorities to establish the University of Jammu in 1969 and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Technical University, Katra (Jammu) and Agriculture University, RS Pura (Jammu), in 1998. Had the then governments not conceded the demands of the people of Jammu province, these would have collapsed… It was expected that the authorities would recognize the talent of the Jammu-based academicians… and appoint them as Vice-Chancellors of these universities. But it did not happen. The Jammu-based Mata Vaishno Devi Technical University and the Agriculture University have seen six Vice-Chancellors - all outsiders, three from Kashmir and three from different parts of India. For the last about thirteen years, the University of Jammu has not been headed by a Dogra academician. The University of Jammu was headed by outsiders, including one from Kashmir, and it continues to be headed by an outsider at present".
5. "Since none of these incumbents could feel the pulse of the people of Jammu province or since none of them could understand the people's requirements or since none of these Vice-Chancellors had his permanent interest in Jammu, they not only politicized the universities, but also bungled. One of them even indulged in activities that could be described as pro-separatist, pro-communalists, pro-Pakistan and anti-India". Perhaps, the memorandum points towards Prof Amitabh Mattoo.
6. "All the three Vice-Chancellor of the Universities, located in Kashmir province, are from Kashmir. The Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir is also a Kashmiri. If the Kashmir-based universities van have locals as Vice-Chancellors, why can’t the Jammu-based universities, including the Central University, have locals as Vice-Chancellor"?
There were some of the arguments the UCUM has advanced in support of its demand, which is also now being supported by the BAJ and few other organizations. On the face of, it can be said that all these arguments are well-conceived and convincing. In fact, one cannot but endorse the demand of those demanding a local Vice-Chancellor.
It would be a deliberate insult of the people of Jammu province if someone says that they do not have a single academician who could be considered fit and suitable for the highest position in the Central University. There is no dearth of talent in Jammu. The people of Jammu have excelled in all the fields - education, medicine, engineering, legal profession, art, painting, music, poetry, dance, drama - and some of them are acclaimed worldwide. The only problem with the people of Jammu province has been that the official attitude towards them has all along remained indifferent towards them. Neither New Delhi nor the state government has ever tried to patronize the Jammu talent. Instead, the authorities, whosoever they are and wherever they are, have always gone extra miles to promote the people of Kashmir, thus indicating that the people of Jammu province have no place whatsoever in their scheme of things. And, this is the main reason behind the failure of Jammu talent to exhibit its potential. Give them a chance and you would see that the Jammu talent is as superior as the Kashmiri talent.
The statesmanship warrants accommodation of the genuine demand of the BAJ, the UCUM and similar other organizations that "a Jammu-based academician be appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu". The elevation of a Jammu-based academician to the position of the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University would go a long in conciliating the people of Jammu province. If ignored, Jammu may witness a movement of the type it witnessed in 1960s, 1990 and 2008 and if it at all happens, it would not be in the interest of the state as well as the nation, which is already confronted with a serious situation in Kashmir.
The situation as it exists today in Jammu clearly indicates that the people of Jammu province will not allow any outsider to function as Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu. According to media reports, it is their resolve. History shows that whenever the people of Jammu take a decision, they ensure its implementation even if they suffer in the process. (Concluded)
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