Government mulling over taking control of Alliance University

On Friday, some men allegedly barged into the campus, attacked staff and directed non-teaching staff to vacate the premises

With the family feud between two brothers to take over management of Alliance University escalating and affecting students, the State government is contemplating taking charge of the seven-year-old private university.

On Friday night, several men allegedly barged into the campus, attacked a staff member and directed non-teaching staff to vacate the premises. Though no complaint was filed, police went to the varsity’s campus in Anekal to bring the situation under control.

Students are wondering whether their internals will take place as scheduled on Monday.

University authorities have told the students that their faculty members will be changed. “We are extremely upset that the faculty members and the staff of the university change every few months. We are anxious about the academic calendar of events,” said one student.

Following these developments, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi told The Hindu that the department is keen on taking over the institution in the interest of the 7,000 students enrolled in the university. He, however, pointed out that the government would first have to amend the Act of private universities. However, Section 55 of The Alliance University Act, 2010 empowers the State government to initiate action if it comes across instances of mismanagement and indiscipline.

The minister pointed out the State government is ‘confused’ about who heads the varsity, as there are cases in various courts. “We have sent the file to the law department for legal opinion,” Mr Rayaraddi said.

This is the third time that functioning of the university has been disrupted due to the fight between brothers Madhukar G. Angur and Sudhir G. Angur over ownership of the institution. Students had petitioned the University Grants Commission, Minister of Human Resource Development and the State government, but are yet to get any relief.

The State government had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of M.I. Savadatti who unearthed a ₹96 crore scam in the varsity a year ago. Later, the State government was mulling over appointing a KAS officer as the administrator.

Mr. Sudhir said that they are working on a ‘permanent solution’ and meeting with faculty members to ensure that the academic calender is not disrupted.

Mr. Madhukar was not available for comment.