Jharkhand University suspends professor for inviting JNU professor

RANCHI: Central University of Jharkhand has suspended associate professor, Centre for English Language, Dr Shreya Bhattacharya for inviting JNU professor NM Panini as guest of honour to attend 140th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel in the university on March 17-19. According to the suspension order issued by vice chancellor Nand Kumar Yadav 'Indu', the JNU invitee Panini is considered mentor of the group of students of JNU who were involved in anti-national activities on JNU campus recently.

"Dr Bhattacharya invited Professor Panini without prior permission from the office of the vice chancellor," the explanatory note on reasons for suspension reads. It further notes that "the invitation to Professor Panini without verifying his credentials, led to wide spread criticism from different quarters of society as a result of which not only the image of university was tarnished as well as the reputation of vice chancellor was also put on stake. The decision of Dr Bhattacharya, regarding sharing the dais by honourable governor of Jharkhand with a person of disputed integrity (Prof Panini) ultimately led to cancellation of visit of governor to the university campus on March 19," the note explains.

VC in his suspension order has directed Dr Bhattacharya not to leave her headquarters at University Campus of CUJ in Brambe without prior permission and has relieved her from all her associated duties of the post of dean of school of languages, dean of school of education and dean students' welfare.

Though Professor Bhattacharya could not be contacted for the response it is believed that the University authorities were well aware of the guest list prepared by Dr Bhattacharya. After being pressurised from unknown quarters university authorities had called up professor Panini one day ahead of his visit that his trip was cancelled.


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