Bengal Governor Dismisses Gour Banga University’s V-C Over Corruption, Negligence

Speedy Summary

• West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose removed Professor Pabitra Chattopadhyay from the position of vice-chancellor of University of Gour Banga citing allegations of dereliction of duty and corruption.
• Accusations against Prof. Chattopadhyay include a claim that he demanded ₹3 lakh for covering legal expenses, which he has denied.
• The university’s inspector of colleges filed cases at Calcutta High Court over alleged irregularities involving the interim V-C.
• the governor annulled Prof.Chattopadhyay’s authorization as VC, stating the action was necessary to uphold education system integrity in West Bengal.
• A previously scheduled convocation on august 25 was canceled due to instructions from the State government; despite directives from the Governor for it to proceed, the VC failed to comply, leading to his removal.
• issues between west Bengal’s government and Raj Bhavan have reportedly kept university convocations suspended since 2017.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The removal of University of Gour Banga’s vice-chancellor highlights ongoing challenges in governance and autonomy within state-run universities in West Bengal. While allegations such as demanding money for legal expenses reflect potential concerns about ethics within academic administration, they also underline broader systemic conflicts between State authority and gubernatorial powers. With convocations delayed since 2017 due to unresolved disputes between Raj Bhavan and the State government, this incident amplifies attention on operational clarity and higher education policy alignment.upholding institutional integrity requires meticulous examination into charges such as those levied against Prof. Chattopadhyay while addressing underlying structural issues apparent in strained relations between governing bodies. Immediate implications may include increased scrutiny on university officials statewide while prompting stakeholders to reassess administrative frameworks that prioritize educational objectives over political disagreements.

Read More: Link