The sudden appearance of Vice-Chancellor P. Appa Rao surprised the group of students opposing his entry into the campus after the suicide of Rohith Vemula but his return seems to be a well-thought-out move.
Sources in the university said Prof. Appa Rao sought the cooperation of the teaching staff and took them into confidence before taking the final decision to return. A majority of the teaching staff were said to be in favour of his return as the regular academic and administrative work was being hit in the absence of a regular Vice-Chancellor, whose presence is crucial in certain decisions.
Teachers favouring his return were of the opinion that the academic bodies had to take important decisions on securing research projects and also the pending promotions that could not have been possible without the regular V-C heading these bodies. Another important policy matter to be put in place was the Choice-based credit system (CBCS). ‘The in-charge V-C was not authorised to take up such matters,” a senior professor said.
In a letter released to the media, the Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the decision to join was taken with the pressure from teachers and other staff members who were concerned about the university’s image. Stating that Rohith’s suicide was a shock and also personal loss since Rohith was his student, Prof. Appa Rao said the judiciary would bring out the facts. The incident had to be seen from the institution’s point of view as well. He said ‘the responsibility of the Executive Council (EC) was to function as per the statutes approved by Parliament. We were/are worried that we become unlawful, if we don’t follow the statutes which make us accountable to Parliament.’
Prof. Rao reminded that institutions were not built overnight.
