<p>The propensity that governor H R Bhardwaj has often displayed in acting whimsically and against the constitutional norms touched a new low in Mysore on Sunday. The hallowed University of Mysore has been rocked by a scandal with former vice-chancellor J Shashidhar Prasad being accused of committing irregularities in the recruitment of around 200 professors and readers during his tenure between 2003 and 2007. The matter was investigated by the Justice Rangavittalachar commission which found substance in the allegations and recommended penal action against Prasad. The state cabinet decided to initiate criminal proceedings against Prasad. But for some strange and inexplicable reason, when the university syndicate was about to take a decision on prosecuting Prasad, governor Bhardwaj wrote to the university asking it not to proceed against the former VC as, according to him, it would be ‘illegal’ under the Universities Act. Bhardwaj failed to explain under what provisions of the Act it would be illegal to prosecute a person prima facie found to be guilty, but the governor’s intervention did stall the criminal proceedings.<br /><br />As student bodies and SC and ST organisations have continued to protest and demand action against Prasad, university vice-chancellor V G Talawar was looking into the matter afresh. On Sunday, Bhardwaj who was in Mysore, publicly berated the vice-chancellor for ‘insulting’ him and ‘setting the students’ against him. The governor even threatened to institute an inquiry against Talawar and block the flow of funds to the university. Bhardwaj put forward a strange logic that if the government were to act against one VC, “then all former VCs of all universities should be put behind bars.”<br /><br />Bhardwaj’s reprehensible behaviour has lowered the dignity of his office. He should perhaps re-read the Constitution about the duties and limitations of a governor. In defending the indefensible and trying to protect an individual who is apparently under a cloud, Bhardwaj has gone beyond his brief. Whether Prasad is guilty or not guilty, it should be left for the courts of law to decide. Why is the governor going out his way to shield him? Bhardwaj holds the highest constitutional post in the state; its credibility is built on the incumbent’s impartial and non-political conduct. A governor’s words and deeds must not only be non-partisan but should also be seen being so. But in Mysore Bhardwaj failed to live up to the expectations of the Constitution. He needs to introspect and exercise restraint while discharging his duties.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The propensity that governor H R Bhardwaj has often displayed in acting whimsically and against the constitutional norms touched a new low in Mysore on Sunday. The hallowed University of Mysore has been rocked by a scandal with former vice-chancellor J Shashidhar Prasad being accused of committing irregularities in the recruitment of around 200 professors and readers during his tenure between 2003 and 2007. The matter was investigated by the Justice Rangavittalachar commission which found substance in the allegations and recommended penal action against Prasad. The state cabinet decided to initiate criminal proceedings against Prasad. But for some strange and inexplicable reason, when the university syndicate was about to take a decision on prosecuting Prasad, governor Bhardwaj wrote to the university asking it not to proceed against the former VC as, according to him, it would be ‘illegal’ under the Universities Act. Bhardwaj failed to explain under what provisions of the Act it would be illegal to prosecute a person prima facie found to be guilty, but the governor’s intervention did stall the criminal proceedings.<br /><br />As student bodies and SC and ST organisations have continued to protest and demand action against Prasad, university vice-chancellor V G Talawar was looking into the matter afresh. On Sunday, Bhardwaj who was in Mysore, publicly berated the vice-chancellor for ‘insulting’ him and ‘setting the students’ against him. The governor even threatened to institute an inquiry against Talawar and block the flow of funds to the university. Bhardwaj put forward a strange logic that if the government were to act against one VC, “then all former VCs of all universities should be put behind bars.”<br /><br />Bhardwaj’s reprehensible behaviour has lowered the dignity of his office. He should perhaps re-read the Constitution about the duties and limitations of a governor. In defending the indefensible and trying to protect an individual who is apparently under a cloud, Bhardwaj has gone beyond his brief. Whether Prasad is guilty or not guilty, it should be left for the courts of law to decide. Why is the governor going out his way to shield him? Bhardwaj holds the highest constitutional post in the state; its credibility is built on the incumbent’s impartial and non-political conduct. A governor’s words and deeds must not only be non-partisan but should also be seen being so. But in Mysore Bhardwaj failed to live up to the expectations of the Constitution. He needs to introspect and exercise restraint while discharging his duties.<br /><br /></p>
