The participation of some university professors in political agitations and inaction on the part of the Vice-Chancellors and the government against those making inflammatory speeches came up for a discussion in the Legislative Council on Friday.
T. G. V. Krishna Reddy and K. Janardhan Reddy (Congress) sought to know whether there were any service rules for professors and the number of university professors taking part in agitations. When action was taken against students, why professors making provocative statements were spared, they asked.
Minister for Higher Education D. Sridhar Babu said that universities were governed by their own statutes but Vice-Chancellors could take action when complaints were lodged with them. The government received only one complaint and it was forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor for his remarks.
Raising an objection, Dr. K. Nageshwar (Teachers) said preventing professors from taking part in democratic agitations would tantamount to denying them their fundamental right.
The Minister clarified that the government was not questioning the autonomy of universities but it also would have to ensure proper functioning of institutions and he would take views of all members in that regard.
Meanwhile Leader of Opposition Dadi Veerabhadra Rao (TDP) contended that universities though have autonomy, would have to abide by government rules and regulations as the Executive Council of universities were appointed by the government.
Mr. Sridhar Babu said universities were given autonomy with the higher objective of giving a free hand to academicians in running the institutions. But recent happenings did cause some concern.
In view of the sensitivity of the agitations, government would take necessary action at appropriate time, he added.
To another question on failure of government to check collection of exorbitant fee by private school managements in violation of GO 91, Secondary Education Minister D. Manikya Vara Prasad said the GO was stayed when some managements went to court. He however said government was trying to get the stay vacated .
