BU's BEd task force members threatened

 The members of the Bangalore University’s (BU) BEd task force have been allegedly threatened of ‘dire consequences’ if they attend the varsity’s Academic Council meeting, to be held on November 30.

The task force was constituted by former vice-chancellor Dr M Prabhu Dev to monitor the state of affairs in teacher education colleges affiliated to BU.

The task force members have reported several irregularities in many colleges, which have been challenged by the college managements in the High Court.

According to a representation given to the Bangalore University acting Vice-Chancellor Rangaswamy on November 26, a copy of which is available with Deccan Herald, chairman of the task force Karan Kumar has stated: “We were threatened of dire consequences if we attend the upcoming extraordinary meeting of the Academic Council, scheduled on 30-11-2012.”

The letter also pointed out that the members have been threatened on various occasions earlier.

The task force had filed an FIR at the Kamakshipalya police station in August this year, when they were reportedly threatened by the Jnana Vikas College of Education on Magadi Road.

In another incident, the principal of one of the BEd colleges in Madivala had allegedly attempted to destroy the video camera that the members were carrying and had even threatened to attack them with an iron rod, according to the letter written by the task force chairman to the acting vice-chancellor. The task force members have now sought security from the university. Surprisingly, Rangaswamy denied having received any such letter.

“I have not received any such representation. Why would there be a threat to attend the Academic Council meeting” Rangaswamy asked.

Contrary to the V-C’s denial, the copy of the letter sent to the V-C has his office seal dated November 27, 2012, acknowledging the letter addressed to him.