VARANASI/NEW DELHI: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice-Chancellor GC Tripathi, under the glare for his handling of student protests last month, has gone on “indefinite leave” citing personal reasons, varsity officials have said.
Tripathi was due to retire on Nov 30. He had earlier said he would quit if asked to go on leave. He did not respond to calls or messages on Monday.
There have been indications from HRD Ministry sources in Delhi that the Centre is upset how Tripathi handled the episode, including a protest by women students after an incident of alleged harassment.
On Sept 28, the Centre sounded him out on the option of going on leave. He is believed to have put in his application on Monday.
Tripathi’s replacement will be decided by the HRD Ministry. Last week, BHU posted an advertisement on its website seeking applications for the V-C’s post. The HRD Ministry is reported to have begun constituting a committee to scan applications and send a shortlist of three candidates to the Centre.