As the Manipur University (MU) impasse over the Vice-Chancellor’s ouster is showing no signs of resolution, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Manipur High Court by human rights activist Kshetrimayum Onil seeking an end to the deadlock.
A Times of India report stated that for almost two months now – the varsity is in a state of shutdown – with both students and staff charging the Vice-Chancellor Adya Prashad Pandey of “administrative negligence and financial irregularities” and demanding his ouster.
The report further stated that in his PIL, Onil has appealed that a high-level judicial inquiry or an appropriate commission, committee, tribunal or forum be initiated into the allegations against Pandey and has cited “academic lapses” faced by thousands of students because of the deadlock arising out of the protest itself and, then, the objection to the composition of the fact-finding committee constituted by the Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry.
After hearing the PIL, the Manipur HC headed by the Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice N Kotiswar – issued notices to Government officials on Tuesday seeking their replies. The Manipur Chief Secretary, the Secretary of Higher Education under the HRD Ministry, the University Grants Commission (UGC) Secretary and the Registrar of the said varsity has been listed as the respondents.