School of Sciences Director at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Professor Vijayshri 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 V-C Mohammad Aslam. The extended tenure of the inquiry ends on January 12 although sources said that it is likely to be extended.
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 Prof. 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. J.M. Parakh submitted their depositions in writing.
Prof. Bari told the
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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.
She was deposing before Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat, Syed A. Bari
Prof Bari is heading an inquiry into alleged irregularities under the tenure of IGNOU
Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Aslam