Governor H.R. Bhardwaj has ordered an inquiry into complaints with regard to “misadministration and indiscipline” against Bangalore University Registrar M.G. Krishnan and Registrar (Evaluation) M.S. Talwar, a release from the Governor's Secretariat stated. The Governor appointed Justice I.P. Vashisht, retired Judge of the Allahabad High Court, to conduct the inquiry, and has set a two-month deadline. The inquiry is in response to the Vice-Chancellor N. Prabhu Dev's complaint, dated April 1, alleging that both officials have been acting in contravention to the statutory provisions, defying the Vice-Chancellor's orders and failing “miserably” to carry out the Syndicate's and the Vice-Chancellor's instructions.
The Governor also noted that the press conference held by Prof. Krishnan and Prof. Talwar, without prior permission of the Syndicate, violates two clauses of the Bangalore University Employees Service (Conduct) Rules. The attrition between the Registrars and the Vice-Chancellor has been played out in the media with the Registrars holding a press meet on Thursday accusing Dr. Prabhu Dev of financial irregularities and running the university in an “undemocratic” manner.
This was in response to the VC's orders, one that appointed a core-committee for exam-related affairs, and the other that grants powers to Deputy Registrars, both of which undermined the offices of the Registrars. The two Registrars had also presented bills and “evidence” of malpractice on the part of the Vice-Chancellor.
‘Unbecoming'
Meanwhile, the former Education Minister and Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council B.K. Chandrashekar said such mud-slinging was “most unbecoming of any academic institution”.
He asked: “Was it difficult to raise these issues in university bodies / platforms such as the Syndicate and the Academic Council?” He also criticised the Higher Education Minister for his silence on the issue.
