Thampu for debate in Parliament

'Alumni MPs vilifying college, let St Stephen's side be also heard in House'

St Stephen’s College Principal Valson Thampu on Monday told Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that the alumni MPs have launched a “unilateral vilification” campaign against the college’s move to amend its constitution.

In his appeal to Mahajan, posted on Facebook, Thampu asked her to allow a debate in the House on the issue.

“Some members of the Parliament, knowing nothing about what is involved in point of fact, have gone public that they intend to raise this matter in the Parliament during the Zero Hour,” said Thampu on Facebook.

Last week, a group of alumni, including MPs Kirti Azad, Kunwar Bhartendra Singh, Kalikesh Singh Deo and former Union Minister Sandeep Dikshit, along with some college teachers had held a press briefing to oppose the proposed amendments.

Besides taking up the college issues in the Parliament, they also plan to seek intervention of the President of India (college Visitor) and the HRD Minister.

“St. Stephen’s College is maintained by a society and it is registered under the Societies Registration Act. The constitution of the college is currently under amendment, in strict compliance with the legal provisions that apply thereto. The amendment has become necessary due to certain flaws that bedevil the constitution of the college as it stands now,” Thampu said.

If the amendment comes through, the society governing it will have powers to set-up St Stephen’s-like institutions across the country, besides giving a more say to the Church of North India in its functioning.

“I wholeheartedly endorse the plan to have the issue of amending the college constitution raised in the Parliament, the sanctuary of our democracy. On behalf of all that we consider holy and honest, all that we cherish in this world we love, I appeal to you to allow a debate. But please madam, let it be a debate. Let the college’s part of the story also be heard,” Thampu said.

Meanwhile, the college has postponed its governing body meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The college has not announced a fresh date as yet. The body was supposed to discuss the proposed amendments.