Prof Rekha removed over 'anti-state' opinion poll controversy

Jammu, Sep 4 (UNI) The Jammu Univesity has removed the Head of Political Science Department, Prof Rekha Choudhary, following a controversy over her alleged involvement in 'anti-state' opinion poll conducted by some media houses recently including a Pakistani publication.

The order of removal of Prof Choudhary, a well-known Kashmir expert in the country, from the post was issued by Vice-Chancellor Amitabh Mattoo yesterday, a University source told UNI today.

''Prof (Rekha) Choudhary is only removed from the HoD's post and not sacked from service, as a section of media has reported,'' the source clarified.

The order of removal was issued on the recommendations of a committee headed by the Dean Social Sciences Department of the varsity, who was reportedly probing the role of Prof Choudhary in the opinion poll that showed that a majority of people support freedom for the state.

The opinion poll, when published in the section of press, sparked a row against Prof Choudhary. Later, a probe was ordered into the matter for her alleged ''anti-national activities'', source added.

The first-ever Indo-Pak poll sponsored by New Delhi based Indian Express, CNN-IBN and Islamabad-based Dawn and designed by Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi offered significant insight into public opinion in the Indian subcontinent on Kashmir issue.

The poll was carried out in the last week of July and the first week of August in the top ten cities of Pakistan (by A C Nielsen) and the top twenty cities of India (by CSDS). Though the survey says that majority of Kashmiris were in favour of independence, it clearly says that the opinion has no takers in Jammu region, where the participants say they want Jammu and Kashmir and PoK to be part of India.

''The professor did not rendered her services in the opinion poll as a HoD and, moreover, she helped in conducting survey in Jammu region,'' sources within the University said.

UNI