Tuesday, February 26, 2008

MU dilemma, ATSUM sticks to its stand

IMPHAL, Feb 25: Sticking to its earlier decision of withdrawing tribal students en-masse from Manipur University from March 1, All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has clarified that the decision is neither against the Manipur University nor the Vice Chancellor but against the State Government of Manipur and the Union Government of India.

Asking whether it is justifiable to have a ‘State university’ converted to a ‘Central University’, if one-third of the State’s population are peeved and aggrieved, the student body in a statement added the answer so far is yes.

The State Government of Manipur has so far made no substantial initiatives to address the plights of the tribal students and staff of the university though all these predicaments are its own creation, the statement signed by its information and publicity secretary contended.

‘Did it (ATSUM)) beg the Union Government to take over Manipur University fully that once the Centre agreed with the take over, the tribal people will be denied many of their privileges and shares in matters of admission and employment in the University ?,’ the statement asked.

The student body went on to say that the Vice Chancellor and Manipur Uni- versity authorities, however, cannot fully escape from the responsibility as they are the ones who knew the ground reality and could have done many things - in the past, present and future.

Crores of rupees have been pumped in for enhancement of the pays and perks of the staff as a direct benefit of the conversion and the University recently recruited 21 Professors, 26 Readers and 23 Lecturers, but not a single tribal was among those recruited.

In fact, the one and only post in reserved for ST in Political Science Department also went to a non-tribal though there are many highly qualified tribal applicants, the student body complained and asked for an explanation on this from the Vice Chancellor.

Further clarifying that it is not against the big leap in reservation of seats for the SC, the student body said that in fact it would be every happy if the 15 percent of all positions in the University are reserved for the SCs. But this is unlikely as there may not be enough qualified SC candidates. Then, all attempts are made to block other SC candidates from outside the State and subsequently, whatever positions reserved for the SCs would finally go to the OBCs or Generals after declaring that ‘there is no qualified SC candidates’.

Seeking the support of all concerned, the student body explained that the decision for pulling out has been taken as ‘we see no future for ourselves in Manipur University’ and ‘there would be no question of ruining one’s career as we are already ruined’.

Further course of action of ATSUM and other like-minded organisations to be taken up after March 1 would be decided soon.

The Sangai Express

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