The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) has raised concerns and sought clarification from the university authorities regarding the continued role of Professor Buddhadeb Sau as the officiating vice-chancellor. This matter arose after Governor CV Ananda Bose removed Professor Sau from the position on December 23. Interestingly, despite this removal, the West Bengal higher education department permitted Sau to preside over the university’s convocation the very next day.
Adding to the complexity, the department justified its decision by noting that the appointment of full-time vice-chancellors for state universities is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court. According to the department, this ongoing legal process prevents the immediate removal of Professor Sau by Governor Bose. However, Governor Bose later expressed his view that the convocation conducted by Sau on December 24 was “unauthorized and unlawful.”
In response to these conflicting developments, the Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association has written to the university registrar, Snehamanju Basu, urging clarification on the legal standing of Professor Sau as the vice-chancellor. The association points out that when the appointing authority, in this case, the chancellor, withdraws authorization, it implies that Sau no longer has the authority to act as the vice-chancellor. Despite this, the special commissioner of the West Bengal government stated that the removal of Professor Sau as vice-chancellor challenges an interim order of the Supreme Court.
JUTA emphasizes the need for the university to address this legal ambiguity promptly, particularly in light of the recent Court meeting, the highest policy-making body of the university. The association highlights that the Court does not possess the authority to appoint, reappoint, or remove a vice-chancellor. The Court meeting, which focused on the convocation crisis and degree conferral, did not provide clarity on the continuation of Professor Sau as the vice-chancellor.
JUTA General Secretary Partha Pratim Roy states, “In this unprecedented statutory crisis, JUTA demands that the university should try to clear the air on the legality of Prof Sau’s continuance as VC from a court of law; otherwise, all administrative works of the university will be hampered.”
The situation remains intricate, with the university caught in a legal and administrative dilemma that necessitates prompt resolution to ensure the smooth functioning of academic and administrative affairs.