BU students' silence over malpractices surprises inquiry commission

So far, it has received only two complaints

When Governor H R Bhardwaj appointed a one-man commission of inquiry to look into a series of unsavoury incidents in Bangalore University (BU), many expected the varsity’s aggrieved souls to speak their heart out.

But even after several months down the line, only two persons could have their say on what is wrong with the university. Even more shocking is the fact that not a single student among scores who staged one protest or the other in the university, has approached the panel, headed by Justice (retd) K Shivashankar Bhat.

Simply put, hardly anybody appears interested in telling the panel what led to the unsavoury incidents that cast BU in a poor light.

The panel, set up on December 24, 2011, was to look into five aspects: complaints of large-scale malpractices in examinations held at BU’s distance education centres resulting in cancellation of exams; what caused the attack on B R Niranjan, Director, Correspondence Courses and Distance Education by Sri Ram Sene activists on December 17; allegations and counter-allegations on the construction of the Kolar Postgraduate Centre, and fixing responsibility for delay in the project; identifying those vitiating the campus atmosphere and suggesting remedial measures, and to inquire into other disruptive incidents that may occur during the pendency of the inquiry.

Reliable sources in the commission, however, say hardly anybody is serious in speaking their mind on any of the above matters.

The PG Centre issue is still not solved and allegations keep pouring in. But the panel has received just one representation on it. Syndicate member C K Jagadish Prasad was the only “saving grace” but he, too, sent the complaint after January 28, the last date.

Besides, the panel has received just one affidavit, from Niranjan, who presented his side of the story on complaints of large-scale malpractices in the distance education examinations and reasons for  their cancellation.

The panel examined the entries and sent notices to those named in them. The Registrar (Administration), B C Mylarappa, and Sene chief Pramod Mutalik are among those who were served notices. Only Mylarappa has replied to the notice whereas Mutalik just sent a token of acknowledgement.

The panel, sources say, is not much worried about the lack of enthusiasm among BU stakeholders. But it is certainly “surprised”.

“We can do our job even if no one speaks up. We can examine the records given to us and submit a report. But frankly, we expected a better response. We thought many people would speak up,” an official, requesting anonymity, told Deccan Herald.

The panel, however, is worried about the absolute lack of response from students. “The panel has to identify those responsible for vitiating the campus atmosphere, and recommend remedial measures. But not a single student has come forward to speak up. What shall we write in our report,” the official asked.

Additional matter

The lack of response notwithstanding, another matter has been included in the terms of reference. Now, the panel will also have to probe the allegations of financial and administrative malpractices against the Director, Correspondence Courses and Distance Education.

A notification about this matter will be published on March 8.