Prof. Vijayshri, School of Sciences Director at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has filed a protest note after her deposition before the Central University of Gujarat Vice-Chancellor Syed A. Bari.
Prof. Bari is heading an inquiry into alleged irregularities under the tenure of IGNOU VC Mohammad Aslam. The extended tenure of the inquiry ends of January 12 although sources said that it is likely to be extended.
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On Monday, Prof. Vijayshri objected to the presence of nodal officer Kapil Kumar, a senior historian at the varsity, during her deposition. She demanded that she be allowed to testify without him being present. Her request was denied after being assured that Prof. Kumar would not interrupt her.
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In her protest note to Bari she wrote, “Your assurance was immediately negated when I stated that I would depose before you and that I was not scared of the Nodal Officer. He immediately pounced upon my statement in a very loud outburst of protestation without seeking your permission… Sir, you did not ask him to maintain silence, which you should have if you really could keep your assurance to me.”
She added that Prof. Kumar interjected twice and the fairness of the inquiry had been compromised. Prof. Vijayshri and Hindi Prof. JM Parakh submitted their depositions in writing.
Prof. Bari told The Hindu , “I told her that I was available for a personal interview even on Tuesday. But she cannot question the inquiry and the capacity of the nodal officer.” He added that he has completed looking into the details of the files and has recorded the depositions of more than 50 people. “I may need a few days more after January 12 to prepare the draft report,” he added.
Last month several faculty members came out in support of Prof. Aslam. They wrote to President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Visitor to the varsity, stating that the inquiry violates the IGNOU Act, 1985 and that Prof. Aslam had merely cracked down on fly-by-night institutes that were selling IGNOU degrees. Non-teaching staff however issued a statement condemning alleged excesses of Prof. Aslam.