CHENNAI: A section of teachers and students at the Dr Ambedkar Government Arts College in Vysarpadi here is apprehensive over the possible influence that its disgraced Principal in-charge S Navamani could exert to escape action in the alleged case of trading of seats for money.
“Navamani always boasted of his connections with some people in the Higher Education Department. Even when the students had confronted him with audio-recorded evidence of him negotiating with a prospective student, he remained unmoved and instead threatened to lodge a police complaint against them,” a professor said.
Some teachers recalled that during 2013-14, Navamani, who teaches Mathematics, had managed to twice get orders transferring him out of Chennai cancelled. On July 8, 2013, the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE) had on the recommendation of the then Principal of Dr Ambedkar Government Arts College issued an order transferring Navamani to the Arignar Anna Government Arts College in Villupuram. But barely eight days later, on July 16, his transfer order was cancelled.
Again, as per the recommendations of the next Principal, the DCE issued an order on January 8, 2014 transferring Navamani to the Government Arts College in Uthiramerur in Kan-cheepuram district.
“While we were expecting him to leave Chennai, within 20 days, the DCE cancelled the transfer yet again and instead posted him at the Government Arts College in Nandanam in the city itself,” recalled a former professor. And to facilitate his transfer to Nandanam, another professor from there, S J Venkatesan, was shunted to the Dr Ambedkar Arts College.
Later, Navamani returned to teach at the Dr Ambedkar Arts College and was appointed Principal in-charge barely a fortnight ago.
“Considering this background, we are apprehensive if he would be let off the hook,” said a professor.
However, a section of students said they were planning to file a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption against Navamani. “On Tuesday, we were planning to boycott classes but since the inquiry was on, we gave up the plan. If nothing comes of the inquiry, we plan to go on a strike as students from poor families were denied admission for want of money,” said a student leader. The students are also consulting a prominent office bearer of a lawyers’ body on moving the Madras High Court on the issue.
“We sincerely hope the Higher Education Minister Palaniappan would personally intervene and ensure justice to us as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has been taking several measures to ensure that those hailing from economically weaker sections pursued their higher education dreams without any hurdles,” said a student leader.