Varsity syndicate asks two professors to retire

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 15. The Syndicate of the Madras University which met on Friday decided by a majority to ask two professors facing disciplinary proceedings to go on `compulsory retirement'.

Prof. Maa Selvaraasan and Prof. B. Govindasamy, were facing various charges of alleged indiscipline and a retired IAS officer, Mr. B. Vijayaraghavan, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as the Inquiry Officer, found them guilty of all the charges.

The two professors organised a fast and dharna within the university campus in February 1999 against the express prohibitory orders and gheroed the then Vice-Chancellor. Later in the year they entered a meeting of the University Senate, though they were not members of the body.

A majority of the Syndicate members including Government officials, reportedly insisted upon drastic action against the two teachers, while some teacher members in the body did not want such severe action. Finally, it was resolved that the two professors should be asked to go on compulsory retirement.

Another resolution resolved to seek the Union and State Governments to declare `Tamil' as a classical language. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Pon Kothandaraman, if declared so, research and academic studies in the language would be eligible for higher funding from the Government agencies and bodies like the UGC. Besides, Tamil could also be studied as a subject for earning separate credits.

Meanwhile, the Madras University Teachers Association (MUTA) has sent telegrams to the President urging him to ask the Chancellor- Governor, not to approve the resolution against the two teachers.

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Section  : Southern States
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