'Welukar should step down for MU's sake' - Times of India

Mumbai: The academic community of Mumbai University and its affiliated colleges believes vice-chancellor Rajan Welukar should step down before a final verdict in the case challenging his appointment. The Bombay high court on Thursday raised questions against a selection panel's application of mind in picking him.

Though the order will not have any direct impact on the university's administration, it was a jolt to the image of the premier institution. "We will seek the opinion of the state's advocate general on the court's comments and will then decide on the future course of action," education minister Vinod Tawde said.

"The high court has given a decision after a long trial and hearing both sides. So in the best interest of the university, the vice-chancellor must gracefully accept the court's observation and step down," said Tapati Mukhopadhyay, general secretary of Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers' Organization (MFUCTO).

"The V-C has just six months more in office and will definitely move the Supreme Court, and by the time that judgment is delivered, his term will be over. However, when such things happen, people do not hold a very high respect for the person. It is not a good sign for Welukar to continue after all this and also for the unviersity," said a senior principal from an affiliated college.

University officials claimed the opinion of the court was misread by the petitioner. "The court has categorically said the court cannot interfere in the opinion of the expert committee and, therefore, the search committee may be asked about its expert opinion on one clause," said M A Khan, the registrar of the university.

Former state chief secretary J S Saharia, who was also on the committee, said he does not wish to comment on the court's opinion as he does not remember the details.

Principals claimed the ruling will not have any direct impact on the university's administration as the court has not asked the V-C to step down. "If the vice-chancellor steps down on his own, an additional charge would be given to the seniormost official till the next VC is selected by the state," said the principal.

Aditya Thackeray, Yuva Sena president who had protested against Welukar for removal of Rohinton Mistry's Such A Long Journey from the syllabus, tweeted: "The court's ruling said the Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor is ineligible to occupy that post. I'm glad that incompetence was seen finally!"

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