ABSU stir against VC of Bodoland University continues; warns to take up issue with UGC and SC

KOKRAJHAR: The All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) is continuing its stir against the Vice Chancellor of Bodoland University (BU), Prof. Laishram Ladu Singh, in front of Bodoland University (BU) since October 6, last demanding his removal from the university for his involvement in corruption charges and monopolistic approach in the BU administration. The ABSU has been demanding immediate suspension of Vice Chancellor of BU Prof. Singh, the arrested accused on corruption charges by the CM’s Vigilance Cell and Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, and the appointment of a new VC in the varsity. The ABSU has warned that it will take up the issue with the UGC and knock on the door of the Supreme Court.

ABSU activists and students from different colleges in Kokrajhar district, including members of Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) and Assam Goria Moria Deshi Jatiya Parishad, joined the sit-in-protest programme on Monday in front of the university and shouted slogans against VC Laishram Ladu Singh, Dr. Mrinal Kanti Choudhury, the academic advisor of the Governor and Chancellor of the University, and the Education Minister for being defenders of Singh.

Talking to the media, the Education Secretary of the ABSU, Gwgwmsar Basumatary, said the ABSU had been continuing their series of agitations demanding the removal of VC of Bodoland University, Prof. Laishram Ladu Singh, and the sit-in-protest has been continuing since October 6 as he is accused of corruption charges by the CM’s Vigilance Cell and Directorate of Vigilance. He said the VC Singh was accused and arrested on corruption charges by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption and the CM’s Vigilance Cell, vide case no. 01/2022 U/S 120B/420/409 IPC R/W Sec. 13(a)/13(2) of the PC Act, 1988.

Basumatary said they have seen individuals with high rank and file taken action for having involvement in the corruption charges, but it is very surprising that in Assam, an accused VC of a university wanted by the CM’s Vigilance Cell for corruption cannot be taken action for the reasons best known to them. He alleged that someone like Mrinal Kanti Choudhury, the academic advisor of the Governor and Chancellor of the University, was protecting him and the high-level inquiry committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education, Government of Assam. Biswaranjan Samal has given a clean sheet to Prof. Laishram Ladu Singh without a substantial conclusion, but the committee has not made their inquiry report public. He also said the ABSU wanted the removal of Prof. Laishram Ladu Singh from the position of Vice Chancellor of BU and the appointment of a new VC.

The ABSU leader said Singh had tarnished the good image of the BU in various ways. He said the Bodoland University was the only premier higher educational institution in the Bodoland region, and thus the ABSU and people of the region want a respectable VC who will work for the betterment and development of the university, but they will not allow an indifferent attitude towards the Bodoland University, as this university has an attachment to the sentiments of Bodo people because it is a gift of the decades-long Bodoland movement and the sacrifice of over 5000 Bodo people. He reiterated that the BU administration had been failing to issue the gradation sheet to the passed-out students in time, and as a result, many meritorious students failed to get admission in different universities outside Assam despite becoming eligible after the admission test for failing to produce the gradation sheet in time of need. He also alleged that the results of many students were displayed with fail marks on the notice board at different times, but when someone inquires about re-examination, the students get high marks in reality. This is because of the insincerity of the Vice Chancellor; he said, adding that the ABSU will not compromise with the future of the students.

Speaking to the media, the president of Kokrajhar district, Assam, Goria Moria Deshi Jatiya parishad, Seik Salim Patgiri, said it was unfortunate that the government of Assam and the Chancellor have failed to take action against the incumbent VC of BU, though he was wanted by the CM’s Vigilance Cell for corruption in the university. He said such corrupt VCs should be removed as early as possible for the greater interest of the students, and the Chief Minister should intervene over the matter.

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