Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar visited the Calcutta University (CU) on Wednesday only to find the office of vice-chancellor Sonali Chakravarty Bondhopadhyay locked.
Dhankhar, who is also the universities chancellor, inquired about the VC but the staff was unaware of her whereabouts. Besides the VC, other senior administrative officials were also not present to receive Dhankhar.
Dhankhar had gone to the university to inspect the campus building and the library. He reached the campus at College Street around 1.30 pm. On his arrival, there was no one at the university to receive him and he had to wait in the room adjacent to that of the VC.
Dhankhar sniffed a political cause behind the absence of Bondhopadhyay despite informing her about the visit.
Reiterating that there was a policy paralysis in the education system of West Bengal, the governor appealed the state government to not polilticise such institutions.
“I, with folded hands, appeal to the (state) government not to politicise universities. For heaven’s sake, don’t play havoc with education. Our universities have to be temple of justice. Allow the vice chancellor to act according to the Act (law),” he said.
Further targeting the university officials, he said, “There mobile phones were unreachable, the landline was not functional and the e-mails bounced back. But all of us who have to perform our duty, cannot be deterred by such things. I planned and I came. If I am wrong, hang me but do ask questions to others as well.”
Questioning the VC, he said, “I had sent a message to the VC that I am coming at 2 pm and will visit the university and its library. A regular message was also sent… When I came here, you have seen, there was no one here. I even asked for the keys to VC’s office but no one knew where they were,” said Dhankhar who was made to sit in a room by the varsity’s staff.
The governor, who has been at loggerheads with the Mamata Banerjee government over several issues, is being blamed by the ruling TMC for delaying clearance of pending bills leading to an abrupt two-day adjournment of the state assembly, opening a new front for hostilities.
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Source: News18