The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : University Registrar axed amid high drama

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

University Registrar axed amid high drama

Shastry V. Mallady and S. Vijay Kumar

“Refuses to accept order; remains in chamber till evening”

MADURAI: Amid high drama, Registrar of Madurai Kamaraj University I. Singaram was removed from the post on Monday.

The move follows an official sanction accorded by Governor Surjit Singh Barnala to relieve him from the post with immediate effect.

As per a communication received from the Chancellor’s office, Dr. Singaram was reverted to his original position as Professor of Sociology.

The university administration sought permission from the Governor for removing the Registrar citing various “irregularities and malfunctioning.”

Vice-Chancellor P. Maruthamuthu said that though the Registrar was asked to hand over charge, he refused to accept the letter and remained in his official chamber till evening.

While a few Syndicate members tried to prevail upon Dr. Singaram to abide by the order, university authorities alerted Collector S.S. Jawahar and Superintendent of Police T.S. Anbu on the developments. Meanwhile, P. Periyakaruppan, Professor, Department of Political Science, was appointed Registrar (in-charge).

Apprehending tension, a team led by Samayanallur Deputy Superintendent of Police P.C. Thangaraj was deployed on the premises.

Mr. Jawahar said that adequate security arrangements were made as a precautionary measure.

“Internal matter”

“It is an internal matter of the university and I have asked the university authorities to keep the Chancellor’s office informed. We are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.

When contacted, Dr. Singaram said that he would comment on the issue later.

“Undemocratic”

Syndicate member R. Murali criticised the manner in which the issue was handled and condemned the ‘undemocratic’ manner in which the administration acted.

“Removing a Registrar in this way is a peak of violation of procedures.”

“The Syndicate does not empower the Vice-Chancellor to act like this. When a Syndicate meeting is slated for February 11, what is the urgency to act like this,” Prof. Murali questioned.

He said that the VC should have called for an emergency meeting before replacing the Registrar and said that “the university is not a place to settle personal scores.”

Move hailed

The Professors’ Association of Madurai Kamaraj University has welcomed the replacement of Mr. Singaram, by the Governor and Chancellor, Surjit Singh Barnala, through an order issued on Monday.

In a statement here on Tuesday, the association president Samuel Paul Raj and secretary S. Rajagopal said that relieving the Registrar from the post was in accordance with the provisions of the university statute.

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