BHU bids adieu to VC amid protests & effigy burning

Varanasi: Banaras Hindu University rector Prof Sanjay Kumar, took charge as acting vice chancellor on Tuesday after Prof Sudhir K Jain completed his three-year tenure on Monday.The farewell ceremony was marred by a demonstration in which students burned his effigy on the campus at the VC residence. The students aired their grievances against the outgoing VC's administrative decisions. The protest intensified even as farewell ceremony was being held at the VC residence, where academic dignitaries and staff members had assembled.The students alleged that during his three-year tenure, Jain damaged the university's academic environment and engaged in corruption in appointments and procurement. The protesting students accused the outgoing VC of abusing emergency powers to appoint his favourite and "less deserving" candidates without forming an executive council, against university regulations. In view of the protest by a big gathering of students, police force and PAC personnel were called in.Addressing the farewell function, Jain said serving as BHU VC was a significant learning opportunity for him. He expressed gratitude for the immense support and affection from the university fraternity, which fueled his energy and strength to work for BHU's development. Prof Jain said the university provided him many wonderful memories and experiences that contributed to his personal growth. He emphasised that the university's goal was to pave way for holistic development and advancement of students, adding that he endeavoured to fulfil his role in this spirit. He highlighted need to create new opportunities to meet students' aspirations, empower teachers and provide resources for the development of university members. He urged BHU members to work diligently with positive energy and hope, ensuring their efforts contribute to the institution's progress. He noted that while results of our work may not be visible immediately, they would manifest in long-term progress of the institution. vRector Sanjay Kumar praised Jain for providing exemplary leadership to the university. Registrar Prof Arun Kumar Singh remarked that identifying talent was hallmark of the VC and that Jain was a person of extraordinary vision, which is reflected in his work style. Dean of faculty of arts, Prof Maya Shankar Pandey said during Jain's tenure, work was done in areas that had previously been neglected.Prof V K Mishra, in charge of south campus at Barkachha, described Jain's tenure as unparalleled and mentioned numerous developments and upgrades in facilities over the past three year. Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Prof S N Sankhwar, thanked Jain for initiatives that made the university's facilities and systems more student-friendly. Director of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences and coordinator of the International Centre, Prof S V S Raju, stated that many efforts were made over past three years to create a conducive environment for research and teaching and to expand facilities.