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| VC of CU: RJMLS exposes controversial activities of ex-VC of JU | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 27: About a month ago, a report appeared in a section of print media that the authorities in New Delhi had decided to appoint former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, as Vice-Chancellor of Central University in Jammu. Ever since then, a number of organizations, including student organizations, have been registering their opposition to the reported decision and demanding appointment of a Jammu-based academician as Vice-Chancellor of Central University.
The arguments advanced by those opposing the reported decision have been that none of the seven universities in the state has a Dogra Vice-Chancellor; that four out of the seven Vice-Chancellor are Kashmiris and the remaining two from outside the state; that the Jammu-based academicians are very talented and bright; and that the opposition to Prof Amitabh Mattoo is based on two factors - he is a Kashmiri and he indulged in highly controversial political activities as Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University.
Significantly, on April 25, Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society (RJMLS), which is headed by PDP leader and Professor of Urdu in Jammu University, Shohab Inayat Malik, who is very close to the former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, took the plunge and hailed the reported decision. Hailing the decision, the RJMLS highlighted his political role in Jammu and Kashmir overlooking the fact that the job of the Vice-Chancellor is to improve academic standards and not to dabble into politics.
The RJMLS is the first organization that has welcomed the reported decision for obvious reasons. In fact, it not only organized a meeting for the purpose of putting on record its happiness over the reported decision, but also issued a lengthy statement in this regard.
The statement issued by the RJMLS vindicated the stand of those who had been opposing the candidature of Prof Mattoo on the ground that his "controversial activities were not in the national interest" and that "the same appeared to be separatist and Pakistan-friendly". The RJMLS statement has, among other things, said: "Appointment of Prof. Amitabh Mattoo as Vice Chancellor Jammu Central University is a welcome step" because he "will once again start working (for) bringing permanent peace in Jammu and Kashmir state"; that "Amitabh Mattoo serves on the Governing council of Pugwash"; and that he…worked round the clock for bringing peace in South Asia".
The RJMLS statement does establish that the former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, who would remain away from Jammu for most of the time during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor and participate in and organize PUGWASH conferences, was interested more in politics than in academics. That the Government of India did not have a good opinion about PUGWASH could be seen from the fact that it did not allow Prof Amitabh Mattoo to hold the PUGWASH conference in Mumbai and that he had to shit the venue from Mumbai to Colombo. Besides, his writings and views on the state, Pakistan and India-Pakistan relations are in the public realm and all these speak for themselves.
The opposition in Jammu to the reported decision and the decision of various groups to organize shutdown in Jammu on 1stMay could be viewed in this context. The concerned authorities in Delhi would do well to take note of bitter opposition in Jammu to their decision and take an appropriate decision - decision that not only satisfies the urges of the people of Jammu province but also helps promote academic activities. The Central University needs an academician, and not a rank politician. The NC, which is ruling the state, should also see to it that New Delhi doesn't do anything that has the potential of triggering protests in Jammu.
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