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| Mattoo down and out: Jammu scores yet another spectacular victory | | | RUSTAM
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Feb 5: Amitabh Mattoo, who played havoc with the University of Jammu and destroyed the institution by politicizing it and inducting some persons with highly doubtful credentials, is not only down but also finally out. It's now virtually official. He has reportedly declined to take over as Vice-Chancellor of the sanctioned Central University of Jammu. But the fact of the matter is that the Ministry of Human Resource Development had never given him the appointment order, although the concerned minister, Kapil Sibal, was very much in favour of Mattoo. It was he who had paid scant regard to the bitter opposition in Jammu against his decision and repeatedly persuaded President of India to clear the name of Mattoo so that he could become the first Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu.
It is very important to note that the President of India, Pratibha Patil, had ultimately cleared his name, but with two specific riders. One was that it would be the HRD Ministry that would be responsible if something happened to Mattoo in Jammu. The other was that it would again be the HRD Ministry that shall be responsible if the appointment of Mattoo led to law and order problem in the state. The President of India, who is also the Visitor of the University, had put these extraordinary riders for the reason that there was widespread resentment in Jammu, as also because the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu had written to the State Chief Secretary that the appointment of Mattoo would surely create serious law and order problem - suggestion that had been upheld and endorsed by the Chief Secretary (read the State Government). In fact, the Chief Secretary had written to the HRD Ministry to reconsider its decision, as the same was fraught with dangerous ramifications. That was the official attitude towards Mattoo.
Earlier, people, cutting across party lines, the entire student community, the teaching faculty, the Bar Association Jammu, a number of socio-cultural organizations, Jammu Central University Morcha, Members of Parliament Madan Lal Sharma and Lal Singh and even one of the National Conference MLCs had vehemently opposed the government's move. So much so that the issue of appointment of Mattoo had generated lot of heat in the (Jammu) District Development Board meeting. Jammu had even observed a complete shutdown on May 1st last year.
Besides, between May 1 and till the other day, Jammu witnessed several demonstrations in and outside the educational institutions, including the University of Jammu. The demand was only one: Down with Mattoo and appoint a Jammu-based academician as the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu. Everyone, without exception, was of the view that the Mattoo's appointment would pollute the state's environment; the Mattoo's appointment would heighten anti-India activities in Jammu province; and the Mattoo's appointment would mean destruction of the Central University even before it became functional. Such was the attitude of the people of Jammu province towards Mattoo and the attitude continues to remain unchanged. The Early Times had catalogued everything connected with Mattoo several times, not because it was opposed to the person of Mattoo but because the people of Jammu disliked the man for the reasons your paper highlighted. The Early Times only reported the facts without any ill-will towards the man. It simply discharged its obligations. Only some fringe elements plus certain vested interests, who had entertained the belief that they would migrate to the Central University, where the retirement age would 65, had supported Mattoo. They must be now singing in the strain of the swan.
Now that Mattoo is down and finally out it is time for the people of Jammu province to rejoice and celebrate. It's indeed Jammu's another spectacular victory. It's a spectacular victory because the people of Jammu have succeeded in keeping the controversial Mattoo away from the state. Hats off to the people of Jammu province. They have once again proved that they have the ability to get things done in the manner they want. |
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