PCI chief set for novel role

Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI), Justice (Retd) Markandey Katju, who created a storm earlier this year by stating that there was an “undeclared Press censorship” in Bihar, is now likely to visit the state every month.

 

But his visit will not be as the PCI chief. The retired judge of the Supreme Court, who is known for his no-holds-barred opinion, will give a lesson or two to the students of mass communication as well those studying law in Patna University.

The Academic Council of the Patna University has given its nod to the proposal to make Justice Katju a visiting professor.

According to varsity sources, the retired judge of the apex court will come to Patna twice or thrice in a month and take classes for the law graduate as well those pursuing mass communication.

“It will be an honour to have someone of Justice Katju’s calibre to teach the students here. He will be engaging classes in Patna College and Patna Law College. Joint classes could also be arranged if the situation so warrants,” said the Vice-Chancellor of Patna University, Prof Shambhu Nath Singh.

However, the outspoken judge will not charge a single penny for imparting lessons in subjects which are close to his heart.

All that the Patna University has to do is to make arrangements for his travel and accommodation during his visit here.