The decision on postponement of Indian Science Congress was a shock to teachers involved in the preparations as even on Wednesday night there was no information to them, and only Vice Chancellor Ramchandram apparently had some inkling of the developments.
Sources said the intelligence inputs were not in favour of the event as it was feared that there would be disturbance in some or the other form irrespective of the security preparations. Officials had been holding consultations with the OU administration over the last one week to shift the inaugural to a city hotel. But none had expected the postponement.
The recent violence after a student’s suicide and another suicide threat at Arts College, Adivasi-Lambada clashes added fuel to the existing fire in the form of students questioning the government on the job notifications.
Unilateral decision
Officials are aghast as most of the preparations were already done and even delegate kits were ordered and procured. The paraphernalia for the pandals were also brought in and the pandal erection work was to be started after Christmas. “We made all the arrangements and were ready to change the inaugural venue too,” said OU Vice Chancellor S. Ramchandram.
The Osmania University Teachers Association (OUTA) has taken strong objection and termed the university’s decision expressing its inability as unilateral.
Irreparable damage
It felt that the stature and academic excellence of Osmania University has taken an irrecoverable beating and the irreparable damage done to the reputation of the University in its centenary year.
OUTA president Battu Satyanarayan demanded the university authorities reconsider their decision and host the Indian Science Congress so the university image is not tarnished. He said the “security problems” cited by the administration were absurd as the university was functioning normally and peacefully.
Professor Satyanarayana said that for the last four months some 20 committees consisting of faculty members of Osmania University have been working relentlessly and many committees have completed major part of their assigned task. “More than 16,000 delegates have registered to participate after paying the registration fees and have made all their travel and accommodation arrangements.” He said the students, research scholars, faculty members and other stakeholders are greatly pained and saddened.
