Chandra Krishnamurthy, the controversial Vice-Chancellor of the Pondicherry Central University, whose resignation is reported to be under the consideration of the HRD Ministry, leaves behind a chequered legacy. Her tenure was marked by serious charges of academic fraudulence, authoritarian style of functioning and judicial entanglements.
According to reliable sources in the university, Ms. Krishnamurthy has tendered resignation to the office of President of India who is the Visitor of the University. However, no official communication has come from the MHRD.
Chandra Krishnamurthy took charge as the first woman V-C of the central university on February 1, 2013, and her exit, when it happens, would bring to closure a stint mired in controversy. Prof. Krishnamurthy had been on compulsory wait since August 22, 2015, after an indefinite campus agitation by students that echoed the demand of the Pondicherry University Teachers’ Association to oust her for serious misdemeanour.
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Prof. Krishnamurthy had also been subsequently served a show-cause notice by the HRD Ministry after an inquiry panel found substance in the charges against her. Though she had resorted to litigation to challenge the notice, the Supreme Court had recently directed her to submit a response within a stipulated time.
Meanwhile, Puducherry University Teachers Association (PUTA) said the MHRD should not accept her resignation and should sack her for her academic misdemeanour.
An office bearer of the PUTA said, “If her resignation is accepted by MHRD, then it is our defeat. She should be sacked and a precedent set in the academic system so that none dared to repeat such a grave mistake.”
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Pondicherry University Students’ Council secretary Jishnu said, “The MHRD should take action against her after rejecting her explanation. She could have done this immediately after the controversy erupted over his educational qualification. After she exhausted all the possible ways to remain in the post, she has tendered resignation.” Soon after she took over, a section of teaching faculty alleged that she lacked educational qualification to become the V-C She and then Registrar, Rajiv Yaduvanshi locked horns over several issues.
The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development had to send a fact-finding committee to inquire into the allegations levelled against each other.
Members of PUTA and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Pondicherry University Staff Welfare Associations intensified their agitation seeking the removal of Ms. Krishnamurthy for alleged academic misdemeanour and act of plagiarism.
They also alleged that she was not qualified to hold the post. The long-drawn struggle came to an end only when the MHRD asked her to proceed on leave. On her refusal to do so, the MHRD put her on compulsory-wait.
Anisa Basheer Khan, senior-most Dean, was made as acting V-C in August 20, 2015.