Guwahati: Kutumba Suraksha Parishad (KSP) on Friday accused Rabindranath Tagore University Vice-Chancellor Manabendra Dutta Choudhury of several alleged professional and financial irregularities concerning the institution in Assam’s Hojai district, and demanded his resignation.

Addressing a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club, KSP central president Satya Ranjan Bora alleged that Choudhury had violated UGC norms during his appointment at Karimganj College, committed irregularities to improve his eligibility for the post of professor, concealed criminal information while applying for the post of Vice-Chancellor and was involved in alleged financial and administrative irregularities at Assam University, Silchar, and Rabindranath Tagore University.

Bora also alleged that Choudhury remained absent from the university for 10-15 days almost every month, carried out works without tenders and facilitated the appointment of relatives from outside Assam in several departments.

“As a conscious person of Hojai district, and also as a fundamental duty of Indian citizens mentioned in Article 51(A) of the Constitution of India, we certainly have a responsibility towards the university. All of us do. Not just me. Every citizen of India has a constitutional duty towards every public institution of their own region and, as a whole, of the state and the nation. I do not know what others do or do not do. But we have always tried to perform our constitutional duty and will continue to do so as far as we can,” Bora said.

Bora cited an affidavit filed by the Registrar of Assam University in the Gauhati High Court in 2020 in WP(C) 3359/2019. He alleged that Choudhury became a professor at Assam University in 2011 despite UGC norms requiring the appointment in 2017.

He also questioned Choudhury’s Ph.D. credentials, saying different years of completion were mentioned in two applications.

According to Bora, Choudhury stated in his application for a lecturer’s post at Assam University that he had completed his Ph.D. in 2000, while an application for the post of Reader at Assam University in 2004 mentioned 1999 as the year of completion. Bora displayed copies of the handwritten applications before the media.

Bora further alleged that if Choudhury became a professor only in 2017 in accordance with UGC norms, he would not have had the required 10 years’ experience to apply for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University in 2024.

He also referred to a case registered at Silchar police station in 2011 under Sections 325, 379 and 506 read with Section 34 of the IPC, 1860, as Case No. 285/2011.

Bora alleged that the case related to the breaking of equipment belonging to journalists covering a student protest at Assam University and the physical assault of journalists. He questioned why the matter was allegedly not disclosed in Choudhury’s application for the Vice-Chancellor’s post.

Bora also alleged that Choudhury had been absent from the university for 10-15 days every month and returned to submit expense documents and draw money from the university. He alleged that several works were carried out without tenders and that the canteen at the new campus was allotted to an individual.

He further alleged that relatives of Choudhury from outside Assam were appointed in several departments, including Hindi, English and Chemistry.

Bora also raised allegations concerning university appointments, student admissions and fees involving the Vice-Chancellor and the current in-charge Registrar. He questioned the Ph.D. admission fee of Rs 76,000, saying other universities in Assam charge Rs 15,000 to Rs 26,000.

In this context, Bora said the wife of the present Registrar had enrolled for a Ph.D. in the university’s Education Department and questioned why the fee had been reduced to Rs 58,000 from this year.

Bora also alleged that Choudhury’s wife, Karabi Dutta Choudhury, had joined Karimganj College through similar fraud. He expressed surprise that she had again been shortlisted for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Tripura’s only women’s university.

He also cited allegations made by Choudhury’s niece concerning family property. According to Bora, Choudhury’s elder brother, Madhavendra Dutta Choudhury, had kept him with himself, educated him like a son and helped him secure a job at the then Karimganj College. Bora alleged that after his brother’s death, Choudhury forcibly seized the land and property.

Rabindranath Tagore University is an educational institution in Hojai district, established in the name of Biswakavi Rabindranath Tagore by upgrading Hojai College in the heart of Hojai town.

Bora demanded Choudhury’s resignation and urged the Assam Education Minister, Chief Minister and Governor to take appropriate action. He said written petitions had already been sent to all three.

Bora also questioned the appointment process and called upon sections of the public to raise the issue.