Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor resigns

Guwahati, May 10 (UNI) Gauhati University (GU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury today resigned protesting against the alleged non-cooperation of the Assam government in improving the conditions of the premier university of the region.

Dr Choudhury submitted his resignation letter before Chancellor Lt Gen (retd) Ajay Sinha expressing his inability to continue under the present position.

He had earlier resigned but withdrew following pressure from well wishers to stick to the post.

Dr Choudhury said he would not like to reconsider his resignation as he was fed up with the continued ''hostility and non-cooperation'' from the government.

The flash point of the latest round of clash was a media interview by Education Minister Ripun Bora where he held the VC responsible for the ''ills'' of the university.

Dr Choudhury, a popular academician, reacted sharply to the allegation of the Minister.

In a statement, he said he was quitting because he had not been able to fulfill the aspirations of both the student as well as teaching community.

He said the Education Minister and the VC of the main university should not have opposite view and hence he was resigning.

The VC alleged the government funds were not enough to run the university.

The government, however, blamed the university for not properly utilising the allocated funds.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Student Union (AASU) criticised the government for forcing the VC to resign.

''This is unprecedented. Since Dr Choudhury is independent-minded, he was not tolerated by Dispur. The government wants someone who can toe their line,'' said AASU's adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharrya.

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