Coercion used to oust HP University VC, alleges CPM

Shimla, Mar 12 (UNI) The CPM today alleged that the P K Dhumal Government had coerced Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) Vice Chancellor Anil Wilson to resign his post, paving the way for the appointment of a pro RSS Vice Chancellor.

''This is the second sep towards the saffronisation of the educational institutions, the first being the permission granted to the RSS to hold shakhas in schools and colleges,'' party's state secretary Rakesh Singha said in a release here.

He said Mr Wilson was not just an academician par excellence, but was the most deserving to head the state's prestigious educational institutions for the job despite being appointed by the previous Congress Government.

Besides being baised for or against anyone, he was efficient and unlike his several predecessors has been throughly honest in running the affairs of the university, Mr Singha added.

''His resignation at this juncture will be a loss to the entire university community.'' The CPM leader said the move smacked of a deep rooted conspiracy by the state government to appoint a pro RSS Vice Chancellor followed by recruitment of people close to its ideology.

According to the information available with the party, Mr Wilson was the biggest hurdle in the reinstatement of the terminated pro VC and other university officials, including a security officer, he said.

Mr Singha urged the VC to withdraw his resignation and prevent the University from falling prey to the saffron brigade, which was out to place its people in all important positions.

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