After spearheading the fight against ‘erring’ teacher education colleges under Bangalore University (BU) for more than a year, Academic Council member and BU Task Force chairman H Karan Kumar submitted his resignation to V-C B Thimme Gowda on Saturday.
In a strongly-worded speech towards the end of Saturday’s Academic Council meeting, Kumar said he had resigned “in protest against recent detrimental developments, including loss of a climate of openness and trust at the university”. Kumar, who was the industry nominee of the government since 2010, has resigned six months before his term ends. Kumar hit out at the university authorities for “approving the admission of students from illegal BEd colleges for 2012-13.” He accused the authorities of flouting rules and adopting “corrupt examination and evaluation practices.”
His report on BEd colleges had recommended disaffiliation of 41 colleges for gross irregularities.
Kumar also accused Syndicate members of having “zero commitment” to the development of the university and bringing the varsity’s system to “a rotten state in the recent past.” He urged the state government to recall or dismiss government nominees and nominate one or two former V-Cs to the Syndicate.
Taking exception, Syndicate member D S Krishna, who was at the meeting to present his local inquiry committee report, dismissed the allegations.
Former BU V-C M S Thimmappa said Kumar’s resignation was a loss to the university. “Even one honest and committed man opting out is a cause for anguish for the university. It is unfortunate,” he said.