The gate meeting and demonstration on Tuesday by the Joint Action Council- Madurai Kamaraj University (JAC-MKU), which is a coalition of two staff associations, witnessed considerable turnout including many who are not part of the associations.
The participants came together in their demand for stringent action against officials involved in the audiotape controversy involving P. Nirmala Devi, Assistant Professor of Devanga Arts College, so that the tarnished image of the university could be repaired.
S. Muthiah, president, MKU Administrative Staff Association (MKUASA), said that though MKU had faced allegations of corruption before, the gravity of the controversy over the alleged attempt to ‘lure’ four college students into doing immoral activities could not be overstated.
“Our girl students, who are like our daughters, are being exploited,” he said.
K. Sadasivam, general secretary, Madurai Kamaraj University Faculty Association (MUFA), said that though JAC-MKU unfortunately could not highlight many recent issues about allegations of corruption, being silent was not an option on this issue involving the safety of students.
Stating that a majority of the university employees were sincere and honest, J. Balasubramaniam, treasurer, MUFA, said the actions of a few officials, who get appointed to senior positions on short tenures, must not be allowed to damage the institution.
M. Buvaneswaran, president, MUFA, said that since Ms. Nirmala Devi had indicated the involvement of “very senior officials”, an impartial inquiry by persons outside the university was necessary apart from a CB-CID investigation. “The footage from CCTV cameras in the university must be examined,” he demanded.
T. Dharmaraj, Chairperson (in-charge), School of Performing Arts, who is not part of JAC-MKU, also spoke at the demonstration.
“The episode had tarnished the image of the entire institution and, therefore, a thorough enquiry is needed to punish the erring officials. In a way, I am also a senior official and I am willing to subject myself to investigation,” he said.
SFI protest
Members of Students Federation of India staged a demonstration inside the university demanding a thorough inquiry into the issue and stringent punishment to those involved.
