THYDERABAD: University of Hyderabad vice-chancellor Prof Ramakrishna Ramaswamy’s decision to step down much before the completion of his tenure has certainly come as a shocker but those in the know of things believe it was on the cards.
Amidst speculations that the HRD ministry’s unhappiness over the functioning of the varsity has led Ramaswamy to resign, those close to him point out that the decision was on the expected lines. Officials said the VC was waiting for the meetings of executive committee and the finance committee on November 24 before making any announcement on his wish to be relieved.
Confirming his decision, the VC told Express that his decision has nothing to do with the functioning of the varsity and the HRD. “Reports that appeared in a section of the press are totally baseless. I need to be in Delhi with my family right now,” he said. The VC has decided to go on leave at present and his resignation is pending with the President of India. Adding to the speculations was a letter written by a Rajya Sabha MP to Smriti Irani, Union Minister of HRD, on November 17.
In a letter with the MP’s letter head and signature, series of allegations were levelled against the VC. The letter, citing reports from press and electronic media, details charges of corruption, irregularities, student suicides, caste-based discrimination, fall in NAAC and, above all, points out the recent ‘Kiss of Love’ protest on the campus by students against ‘moral policing’ after which BJYM activists lodged a complaint to police against the VC.