In a surprise move, the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jharkhand, Nand Kumar Yadav ‘Indu’, apologised to M.S. Panini, retired professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, for the “inconvenience” caused by the cancellation of his scheduled lecture on March 19.
He, however, remained silent on the reference to the esteemed professor of sociology as “man of disputed integrity” in the two orders taken out by the University.
In the orders issued on March 28 and March 30, which spelt out the reasons for suspending Associate Professor Shreya Bhattacharji for inviting the JNU professor, Mr Panini was referred to as a “man of disputed integrity.”
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The invitation, issued without examining his credentials, had led to widespread criticism and “tarnished” the reputation of the University and its Vice-Chancellor. The order suspending Ms Bhattacharji was revoked on March 31.
In the mail sent to Professor Panini on March 31, the Vice-Chancellor has sought to distance himself from the entire episode.
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“Whatsoever came into the public domain about you in the name of the university were not the views of the university but were the views of unknown miscreants.”
Mr. Yadav also cites miscreants as reason for cancelling Mr Panini’s lecture.
“Keeping in view the same and in apprehension of the same the circumstances compelled to cancel your visit to avoid any mishappenings related to your security, etc.”
The Vice-Chancellor has assured the professor that he would be compensated for having to cancel his ticked at the last minute.
“The expenses claimed by you in the process of cancellation of your visit to this University is being processed and shall be reimbursed shortly,” Mr Yadav has written.
Mr. Yadav told The Hindu that his university would continue to invite scholars of the stature of Mr. Panini. Some emails and smses from unknown people had prompted him to cancel the invitation extended to the professor.